BEIJING, April 29 Reuters China39;s manufacturing activity in April likely expanded at a slower pace, a Reuters poll showed on Monday, indicating the country39;s sprawling factory sector may have lost some momentum at the start of the second quarter.

The official purchasing managers39; index PMI likely slipped to 50.3 in April from 50.8 in March, according to the median forecast of 33 economists in the poll. The 50point mark separates growth from contraction.

The data will be released by the National Bureau of Statistics NBS on Tuesday.

The world39;s secondbiggest economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter, offering some relief to officials, but March indicators showed domestic demand remains frail. The property downturn continues to hurt local governments39; finance and household confidence, analysts said.

High frequency indicators such as steel demand showed muted growth in April, according to analysts at Goldman Sachs.

Residual seasonality in NBS manufacturing PMI also poses some downward pressure on the April reading. In historical years with similar calendar patterns to this year, both the NBS and Caixin manufacturing PMI tended to decrease in April.

The private Caixin factory survey, which will also be issued on Tuesday, is expected to show the manufacturing PMI in April slowed to 51.0 from 51.1 in March, according to the median forecast of 17 economists polled by Reuters.

Investors expect the Chinese authorities to launch more stimulus to…