After a March rebound, how did April go for the Chinese economy?  PMI numbers  will be out on Sunday. Manufacturing actively likely expanded modestly in April, according to a Reuters poll.

The data adds to hopes that China's economic slowdown is easing. The official manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index is expected to rise to 50.4 in April from 50.2 in March. That would be the PMI's highest level since October 2014.

The April forecast is slightly stronger than the March results but still isn't far above the 50.0 mark that separates expansion from contraction. Economists believe the reviving manufacturing sector is beginning to benefit from a property recovery.

China's investment growth quickened to 6.2 percent in the first quarter. Exports also returned to growth in March despite sluggish global demand.