BEIJING, June 26 Reuters SP Global cut its forecast for economic growth in China this year, underscoring the uneven nature of the country39;s postreopening recovery that is spurring more calls for further stimulus.

SP now expects China to log GDP growth of 5.2 in 2023, down from an earlier estimate of 5.5. It was the first such cut by a global credit ratings agency this year and follows lowered predictions by Goldman Sachs and other major investment banks.

China39;s key downside growth risk is that its recovery loses more steam amid weak confidence among consumers and in the housing market, SP said in a statement on Sunday.

The world39;s secondlargest economy has slowed in recent months after coming back to life with the lifting of three years of restrictive zeroCOVID policies. In May, property investment slumped further, industrial output and retail sales growth missed forecasts, and youth unemployment hit a record 20.8.

Forecasts for China GDP growth this year range between 4.4 and 6.2.

SP said likely measures to bolster the economy could include easing housing purchasing restrictions and mortgage downpayment requirements, expanding credit and infrastructure financing and, perhaps, fiscal support for consumption.

Ning Jizhe, a senior economic official with the country39;s top political advisory body and the former head of China39;s statistics bureau, is among policy advisers calling for more supportive measures to be rolled out.

It is better to introduce…