China’s fixed asset investment returned to positive territory in February 2026, rising 1.8% year-over-year, according to data updated on 16 March 2026. This marks a sharp turnaround from December 2025, when investment fell 3.8% compared with a year earlier.
The indicator compares each month’s investment activity with the same month a year prior, highlighting a notable shift in momentum over the start of 2026. In December, the year-over-year drop pointed to weakening capital spending, but the February reading suggests a renewed appetite for longer-term projects and capital formation.
While detailed sector breakdowns were not provided, the move from a 3.8% contraction to 1.8% growth over a two-month span underscores a change in direction for China’s investment cycle as policymakers and markets monitor whether this rebound can be sustained through the rest of the year.
