China's Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Development Index stood at 88.7 in September, edging down 0.1 points compared to August, the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises reported Thursday.

Among sub-index for eight sectors, the sub-index in industrial, retail and wholesale, and information transmission software sectors rebounded in September, with the figure for information transmission software industry going up 0.3 points, registering the best performance.

Among the sub-index for eight items, the sub-indexes for funds, labor force supply and demand, as well as enterprises costs were higher than the boom-and-bust line of 100, at 100.3, 105.5 and 117.7, respectively, in September.

Moreover, the market demand rebounded in September, with the sub-index for market demand increased 0.1 points compared to August, at 80.6.

The index contains multiple sub-indexes to gauge the performances and expectations of SMEs. A reading above 100 reflects an upward trend in business, while a reading below 100 indicates dented vitality.

The association noted that economic development is on an overall steady growth track, and the new-quality productive forces were developing steadily.