PROFITS at China's industrial companies registered their steepest decline this year in September, as policymakers battle to restore confidence across the world's second-biggest economy, reports London's Financial Times.

Profits at large industrial companies fell 27.1 per cent in September year on year, after a 17.8 per cent fall in August. The gauge, which is published by the National Bureau of Statistics, tracks companies with more than CNY20 million (US$2.8 million) in turnover.

The figures come amid mounting pressure on Beijing to support the economy after a string of disappointing data that highlight the effects of a multiyear property sector slowdown and weaker consumer demand.

Policymakers in late September unveiled a barrage of measures designed to boost confidence and support the stock and housing markets, though analysts have called for further fiscal stimulus to restore momentum.