A glance at China’s latest economic numbers

China’s economic growth slowed in the first three months of this year to its slowest pace since 2009 during the global financial crisis. The data raised hopes that the world’s second-largest economy may be stabilizing.

Here are some key numbers China watchers are following:

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GDP: Growth slowed to 6.7 percent in the first quarter from 6.8 percent in the last quarter, but was within the official target range for the year of 6.5 percent to 7 percent.

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INVESTMENT: Spending on factories and other “fixed assets” grew 10.7 percent, partly thanks to stronger spending on construction and heavy industries.

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INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT: China’s factories raised their production by 5.8 percent, a slightly slower pace than late last year.

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RETAIL SALES: Despite worries over layoffs, Chinese consumers are still avid spenders and retail sales rose 10.3 percent from a year before, up from 10.2 percent in October-December.

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INFLATION: At 2.1 percent, inflation was below the 3 percent level policymakers are striving for. But that allows room for more stimulus if needed.

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EXPORTS: Chinese exports grew 11.5 percent in March, the first expansion since June, though weak year-earlier figures and distortions from the lunar new year were key factors. But exports fell 4.2 percent from a year earlier in the first quarter.

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LIKELY IMPACT: The latest data are strong enough to show that despite its prolonged slowdown, China remains a main engine of global growth, which the IMF’s latest estimate put at 3.2 percent in 2016.