BEIJING, July 3 Reuters China39;s factory activity growth slowed in June, a private sector survey showed on Monday, with sentiment waning and recruitment cooling as firms grew increasingly concerned about sluggish market conditions.

The CaixinSP Global manufacturing purchasing managers39; index PMI eased to 50.5 in June from 50.9 in May, indicating a marginal expansion in activity. The 50point index mark separates growth from contraction.

The figure, combined with Friday39;s official survey that showed factory activity extending declines, adds to evidence the world39;s No. 2 economy lost momentum in the second quarter as demand weakened.

The Caixin manufacturing PMI surveys around 650 private and stateowned manufacturers and, according to economists, focuses more on exportoriented firms in coastal regions, while the official PMI surveys 3,200 companies across China.

The soft PMIs, which are considered a leading economic indicator, show China struggling to sustain the postCOVID recovery seen earlier this year amid an entrenched property downturn, high youth unemployment and deflationary pressures.

Markets now anticipate more policy support to bolster a stuttering economic recovery, despite the central bank cutting key lending benchmark rates in June to shore up activity.

A slew of recent economic data suggests that China39;s recovery has yet to find a stable footing, as prominent issues including a lack of internal growth drivers, weak demand and dimming prospects…