Figures show slow industrial growth

Economists say reduction in 2015 GDP goal appears increasingly likely

Industrial production and fixed-asset investment growth continued to soften in October, which economists said may now persuade China's top leaders to set a lower GDP growth target for next year if momentum remains sluggish.

Industrial output growth, a key indicator in GDP growth targets, edged down to 7.7 percent year-on-year during the month, from 8 percent in September, the second-lowest level this year, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday.