China's factory output growth slumped to an eight-month low in July, while retail sales slowed sharply, raising pressure on policymakers to roll out more stimulus to revive domestic demand and ward off external shocks to the $19 trillion economy.

BEIJING--China’s factory output growth slumped to an eight-month low in July, while retail sales also slowed sharply, reinforcing the challenge confronting policymakers as they strive to shore up an economy in the face of soft demand at home and external risks.

China's industrial output grew 5.7% year-on-year in July, slowing from the 6.8% rise in June and missing forecasts, while retail sales also grew at a slower clip, official data showed on Friday.