# Please explain the term "flash" measure of sentiment

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-term-flash-measure-of-sentiment/735205>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 20, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-term-flash-measure-of-sentiment/735205 "2015-10-20T01:18:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![davidmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-term-flash-measure-of-sentiment/735205/1 "2015-10-20T01:18:59Z")

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Hi,  
I would like to know what is meant by “flash” measure of sentiment. Is it a snapshot of the way eg. purchasing manager feel about the market? I look forward to your feedback.

> **[China's factory activity just hit a 77-month low](https://money.cnn.com/2015/08/20/news/economy/china-factories-growth-pmi/index.html?iid=EL)**
>
> A key gauge of China's all-important manufacturing sector has tumbled to its lowest level in more than six years, indicating that the country's factories are losing momentum.

The “flash” measure of sentiment among manufacturing purchasing managers fell to 47.1 in August, the worst figure in 77 months and a decline from the index’s final reading of 47.8 in July, according to Caixin Insight and Markit Economics. Any number below 50 indicates a deceleration in the manufacturing sector.