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☆ Asia factory activity weakens, uncertainty on China clouds outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An employee works on a production line manufacturing steel structures at a factory in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, China May 17, 2020. The data shows that factories are producing less and hiring fewer people," Dan Wang, chief economist at Hang Seng Bank China, said of China's PMI readings, which have different samples. Export-reliant Japan, South Korea and Taiwan bore the brunt of sluggish global demand with their manufacturing activity remaining stagnant in November, surveys showed. Japan's final au Jibun Bank manufacturing PMI fell to 48.3 in November from 48.7 in October, shrinking at the fastest pace in nine months. Manufacturing activity also shrank in Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia, but expanded in Indonesia and the Philippines, the surveys showed.

Persons: Dan Wang, Toru Nishihama, Leika Kihara, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, PMI, Korea Soft, P Global, Hang Seng Bank, Dai, Research, Jibun Bank, Research Institute, Thomson Locations: Huzhou, Zhejiang province, China, Japan, S, TOKYO, Europe, United States, Hang Seng Bank China, South Korea, Taiwan, Asia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines

The official purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 49.4 in November from 49.5 in October, staying below the 50-point level demarcating contraction from expansion, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Thursday. The new orders sub index contracted for a second consecutive month, while the new export orders component extended its decline for a ninth month. "Today's PMI reading will further raise expectations towards policy support," said Zhou Hao, economist at Guotai Junan International. "Fiscal policy will be under the spotlight and take centre stage over the coming year and will be closely monitored by the market." Factory PMI has contracted for seven out of the past eight months - rising above the 50-point mark only in September.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Zhou Hao, Joe Cash, Kim Coghill, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: cnsphoto, REUTERS, National Bureau, Statistics, Standard Chartered, PMI, Guotai, Thomson Locations: Zunyi, Guizhou province, China, BEIJING

☆ China factory activity shrinks for a second month in November
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

China's factory activity contracted for a second straight month in November, while non-manufacturing activity hit yet another new low for the year, signaling that the world's second-largest economy is not yet out of the woods and may require more muscular policy support. The official manufacturing purchasing managers' index unexpectedly fell slightly to 49.4 in November from 49.5 in October, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics released Thursday. China's official manufacturing PMI also came in below forecast last month. The official non-manufacturing managers' index slipped to 50.2 in November from 50.6 in October, according to the same NBS release. A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion in activity, while a reading below that level points to a contraction.

Organizations: National Bureau of Statistics, PMI

☆ China’s Manufacturing PMI Edged Lower, Signaling Continued Weakness
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

An employee works on solar photovoltaic modules at a factory in Haian in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: str/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesAn official gauge of China’s manufacturing activity indicated contraction for a second consecutive month in November, signaling continued weakness in the economy despite Beijing’s recent efforts to juice up growth amid a protracted housing slump. China’s official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index slipped to 49.4 in November from 49.5 in October, the National Bureau of Statistics said Thursday. A reading above 50 indicates an expansion in activity while a reading below it indicates contraction.

Organizations: Agence France, National Bureau of Statistics Locations: Haian, China’s, Jiangsu

☆ Take Five: Warming up this winter
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

1\BUCK UP, IT'S DECEMBERThe dollar is heading for its weakest monthly performance for a year, with a loss so far of 2.7%. On Thursday, China releases official manufacturing PMI data, which last month showed an unexpected contraction, killing momentum for an economic recovery. COP28 gets underway in Dubai and securing an agreement on how to tackle global warming and, crucially, how to pay for it looks as difficult as ever for the near 200 countries and institutions attending. Reuters Graphics5\THE ECB'S BALANCING ACTEuro zone inflation data on Nov. 30 may well confirm a trend of price rises moderating. Policymakers remain wary of any hopes for rate cuts spilling over into increased bank lending and household spending, renewing inflationary pressures.

Persons: Lewis Krauskopf, Kevin Buckland, Naomi Rovnick, Marc Jones, Amanda Cooper, it's, Joshua Roberts, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Christine Lagarde, Pasit Kongkunakornkul, Sumanta Sen, Kripa Jayaram, Vineet Sachdev, Prinz, Toby Chopra Organizations: BUCK, IT'S, Federal Reserve, Reuters, REUTERS, COP28, World Bank, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: China, Dubai, Lewis, New York, Tokyo, London, Washington , U.S, UAE

☆ What to expect from OPEC meeting as traders digest recent price 'carnage'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"The oil suite remains rather stunned after the cancellation of Saudi Sunday," wrote John Evans of PVM Oil Associates in a note Friday. U.S. crude recovered most of Wednesday's intraday losses and trading has been relatively muted amid the Thanksgiving holiday with investors trying to digest the recent volatility. Europe demand headache for OPEC With the meeting delayed, investors are left with more bearish news on the demand side. "The likelihood of new demand coming from the continent is tantamount to zero giving more reason to be wary for oil investors and another layer of headache for OPEC," Evans wrote. "It's undermining the Saudi efforts to get the price really back to $100 a barrel plus," Kilduff told CNBC's " Power Lunch " on Wednesday.

Persons: John Evans, Brent, Evans, John Kilduff, PVM's Evans, Kilduff, CNBC's, PVM, Goldman Sachs, Michael Hsueh, Russia's Organizations: Organization of Petroleum, —, PVM Oil Associates, West Texas Intermediate, JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, Bank of America Locations: China, Europe, Angola, Nigeria, Saudi, Riyadh, U.S, Russia, Moscow, Saudi Arabia

☆ Asia stocks hold gains as confidence grows on rate outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Selena Li | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China's benchmark share index (.CSI300) fell 0.16% on Thursday, with the real estate sub-index (.CSI931775) retrieved earlier losses to gain 2.11%. Chinese government advisers will recommend to an annual policymakers' meeting that economic growth targets for next year be set at 4.5% to 5.5%, Reuters reported on Wednesday. Markets have generally been buoyant this month, with stocks rallying on expectations of a more benign interest rate backdrop. The next set of forward-looking flash November PMIs will help investors to assess recession risks and how quickly rate cuts might begin. The minutes of the European Central Bank's October meeting and flash PMIs for a host of European countries are Thursday's highlights.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, shrugged, Redmond Wong, Brent, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt, Changpeng Zhao, Bitcoin, Selena Li, Edmund Klamann, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Bloomberg, Garden Holdings, HK, Reuters, U.S, The, Federal Reserve, Saxo Markets, Nikkei, Nasdaq, European Central, PMI, OPEC, FTSE, UK Finance, Thomson Locations: Exchange, Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Asia, Pacific, Japan, United States, The U.S, Greater China, Australia, Britain, U.S

☆ Holiday thins trading after data slows dollar's decline
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Vidya Ranganathan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

With markets shut in Japan and the United States for the Thanksgiving holiday, currencies barely moved and cash U.S. Treasuries weren't traded in Asia. By 0530 GMT, however, the euro was 0.15% higher at $1.0902 and the dollar index was a tad weaker at 103.71. Adding to investors' confusion, data showed orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods fell more than expected in October, signalling an economy cooling considerably after hot third-quarter growth. The dollar's rebound comes after a three-week long spell of weakness driven by evidence of a slowing economy and disinflation, leading markets to price out any additional Fed rate hikes. The forward-looking flash November purchasing manager indexes (PMIs) are also due out globally on Thursday and should help investors assess recession risks and how quickly rate cuts will begin.

Persons: Marcos Brindicci, Treasuries weren't, Jeff Ng, Treasuries, policymaker Mario Centeno, Joachim Nagel, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt, Changpeng Zhao, Vidya Ranganathan, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Federal, University of Michigan, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Fed, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, Governing, PMI, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rights SINGAPORE, Japan, United States, Asia, Britain, U.S

☆ Morning Bid: Watching what the ECB giveth
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Vidya Ranganathan. The forward-looking flash November PMIs due out globally should help investors assess recession risks and how quickly rate cuts will begin. Interest rate futures show the market is pricing in rate cuts by April and more aggressively so in June . Later on Thursday, Sweden's central bank will announce its latest policy decision in what is expected to be a very close call on whether to hike again. A Reuters poll showed 10 of 19 economists looked for a rise, while market pricing is leaning against a move.

Persons: Vidya Ranganathan, haven't, Mario Centeno, Joachim Nagel's, Christine Lagarde's, Jeremy Hunt's, Van Haaren, ECB's Isabel Schnabel, Robert Holzmann, Francois Villeroy de, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Vidya, European Central, PMI, ECB, Reuters, Ubezpieczen SA, Virgin Money, Bank of France, Thomson Locations: Japan, United States, Britain, U.S, Sweden's

☆ Asia stocks hold recent gains as confidence grows on rate outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Selena Li | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Investors are also looking to Chinese policymakers for clues on possible support for the long-suffering property market, in line with broader growth targets they are hammering out. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) edged down 0.11% in thin trading, with Japan and the United States on holiday. Chinese government advisers will recommend to an annual policymakers' meeting that economic growth targets for next year be set at 4.5% to 5.5%, Reuters reported on Wednesday. Markets have generally been buoyant this month, with stocks rallying on expectations of a more benign interest rate backdrop. The next set of forward-looking flash November PMIs will help investors to assess recession risks and how quickly rate cuts might begin.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, shrugged, Redmond Wong, Brent, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt, Changpeng Zhao, Selena Li, Edmund Klamann Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Saxo Markets, Nikkei, Reuters, Nasdaq, OPEC, FTSE, UK Finance, Thomson Locations: Exchange, Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Asia, Pacific, Japan, United States, U.S, Greater China, Australia, Britain

☆ Holiday thins trading after data nudges dollar higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

With markets shut in Japan and the United States for the Thanksgiving holiday, currencies barely moved and cash U.S. Treasuries weren't traded in Asia. The dollar index rose overnight, bouncing from a 2-1/2 month low, after economic data showed the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week. The weakness in the dollar has buoyed the yen , along with expectations the Bank of Japan may shift away from its ultra-loose monetary policy next year. The dollar index was just 0.03% lower at 103.84, with the euro unchanged at $1.0887. The forward-looking flash November purchasing manager indexes, or PMIs, are also due out globally on Thursday and should help investors assess recession risks and how quickly rate cuts will begin.

Persons: Treasuries weren't, Jeff Ng, Treasuries, policymaker Mario Centeno, Joachim Nagel, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt, Changpeng Zhao Organizations: U.S ., Federal Reserve, University of Michigan, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Fed, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, Governing, PMI Locations: Japan, United States, Asia, Britain, U.S

☆ Take Five: Black Friday is (almost) here
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 17 (Reuters) - U.S. retailers are gearing up for Black Friday, marking the start of the shopping season that follows the Thanksgiving holiday, while business activity data should gauge the temperature elsewhere. 1/ BARGAIN HUNTINGThe crucial holiday shopping season kicks off with Black Friday on Nov. 24 at a time when investors are questioning whether the consumer-driven U.S. economy can remain resilient. This year's Black Friday comes as Americans grapple with soaring interest rates and inflation that, while easing, remains above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. Already, data for October showed U.S. retail sales fell, pointing to slowing demand, although the decline was less than expected. As long as that's not the case, pressure is on the Kishida cabinet since a weak yen is unpopular politically.

Persons: Kamil Krzaczynski, Lewis Krauskopf, Kevin Buckland, Naomi Rovnick, Dhara Ranasinghe, Karin Strohecker, There's, PIMCO, Rishi Sunak, David Cameron, Jeremy Hunt, Hunt, bode, Sergio Massa, Javier Milei, Pragmatist Massa, Prinz Magtulis, Sumanta Sen, Kripa Jayaram, Pasit, Mark Potter Organizations: Walmart, REUTERS, Black, Nvidia, Insider Intelligence, European Commission, PMI, Fed, European Central Bank, Reuters Graphics Reuters, DOWNING STREET, Labour, gilts, Natwest, Reuters, Bank of Japan, Peronist, Thomson Locations: Chicago , Illinois, U.S, Argentina, Lewis, New York, Tokyo, London, Britain, Japan, Egypt, Taiwan, South Africa, India

☆ World economy to perform better than expected in 2024, says Goldman Sachs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. is expected to outpace other developed markets again with estimated growth of 2.1%, Goldman said. Goldman noted global manufacturing activity has been weighed down by a weaker-than-expected rebound in Chinese manufacturing and the European energy crisis, as well as an inventory cycle that had to correct for overbuilding last year. S&P Global's gauge of worldwide manufacturing activity came in at 49.1 in September. Additionally, China's Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing PMI fell to 49.5 in October from 50.6 in September, marking the first contraction since July. Manufacturing activity should recover somewhat in 2024 from a subdued 2023 pace, Goldman economists led by chief economist Jan Hatzius said, especially as "spending patterns normalize, gas-intensive European production finds a trough, and inventories-to-GDP ratios stabilize."

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Jerome Powell, Jan Hatzius, China's Organizations: Bloomberg, U.S . Federal Reserve, Global, Goldman Sachs, P Global, PMI Locations: York, U.S, Japan

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 10 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. The three main U.S. equity indices quickly sank, and ended between 0.7% and 1% lower on the day. If Asian and emerging stocks follow Wall Street's lead, they will close the week in the red. Sentiment towards China, meanwhile, suffered another blow on Thursday after inflation figures showed that consumer prices swung lower in October. On the political front, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen hold talks in San Francisco.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Kevin Lamarque, Jamie McGeever, Kazuo Ueda, Ueda, Lifeng, Janet Yellen, Yellen, Deepa Babington Organizations: Federal, Committee, Federal Reserve, REUTERS, Fed, Treasury, Traders, U.S ., Bank of Japan, ., PMI, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Tokyo, Japan, China, San Francisco, Zealand, India, Australia

☆ Dollar bounces after sharp selloff, weak data hurts euro
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Karen Brettell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. one dollar banknotes are seen in front of displayed stock graph in this illustration taken, February 8, 2021. "If you look at the percentage of currencies that have been down versus the dollar over the last 26 weeks, it was approaching 100%, and data also showed very long dollar positioning ... Traders are now pricing in only a slim chance of a further interest rate increase by the Fed and see three 25-basis-point rate cuts by next November. The euro fell 0.20% to $1.0695 after data showed a larger-than-expected fall in German industrial production in September. The yen softened to 151.74 per dollar last week, edging closer to October 2022 lows that spurred several rounds of dollar-selling intervention.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Marc Chandler, Jerome Powell, Chester Ntonifor, Chandler, Powell, Christopher Waller, Michelle Bowman, Neel Kashkari, Austan Goolsbee, Fiona Cincotta, Karen Brettell, Alun John, Ankur Banerjee, Paul Simao, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, U.S ., Australian, greenback, Fed, Bannockburn Global, BCA Research, Traders, . Minneapolis, Chicago Fed, PMI, Index, Reserve Bank of Australia, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, U.S, Bannockburn, New York, London, Singapore

☆ Dollar bounces after sharp selloff, euro dented by weak data
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Karen Brettell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. one dollar banknotes are seen in front of displayed stock graph in this illustration taken, February 8, 2021. The dollar index which tracks the U.S. unit against six main peers, was up 0.37% at 105.64. If that continues, he added, attention will turn to how long to keep interest rates at current levels. The euro fell 0.37% to $1.0677 after data showed a larger-than-expected fall in German industrial production in September. The yen softened to 151.74 per dollar last week, edging closer to October 2022 lows that spurred several rounds of dollar-selling intervention.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jerome Powell, Marc Chandler, Chester Ntonifor, Chandler, Powell, Neel Kashkari, Austan Goolsbee, Fiona Cincotta, Carol Kong, Karen Brettell, Alun John, Ankur Banerjee, Paul Simao Organizations: REUTERS, U.S ., Australian, Fed, Bannockburn Global, BCA Research, Traders, Minneapolis, . Chicago Fed, PMI, Index, Reserve Bank of Australia, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Thomson Locations: U.S, Bannockburn, New York, Tokyo, London, Singapore

Tuesday data showing a larger-than-expected fall in German industrial production in September contributed to the euro's weakness, said Fiona Cincotta, senior financial market analyst at City Index. The euro, like most other currencies, gained sharply on the dollar last week as a series of data points - most notably U.S. data from Friday showing job growth slowed in October - sent the U.S. unit lower. The dollar fell 1.4% last week, its steepest decline since mid-July, a sharp reversal after a recent run higher. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said on Monday the U.S. central bank likely has more work ahead to control inflation. The yen softened to 151.74 per dollar last week, edging closer to October 2022 lows that spurred several rounds of dollar-selling intervention.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Fiona Cincotta, Chester Ntonifor, Neel Kashkari, Jerome Powell, Carol Kong, Kong, Ankur Banerjee, Alun John, Sam Holmes, Miral Fahmy, Edmund Klamann, Kim Coghill, Emelia Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, PMI, Federal, Treasury, BCA Research, Fed, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, U.S, Bank, Australian, Commonwealth Bank of, Aussie, Thomson Locations: Rights SINGAPORE, LONDON, U.S, Australia, Tokyo, Singapore, London

☆ Stifel says the S&P 500 will keep climbing 'wall of worry' to hit 4,400, gives 10 stocks to play rally
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The S & P 500 can rise to 4,400 by the end of the year as near-term recession talk proves unfruitful, according to Stifel. "We see no imminent U.S. recession as the S & P 500 climbs the proverbial Wall of Worry," Bannister wrote to clients in a note. .SPX YTD mountain The S & P 500 this year The average market strategist expects the S & P 500 to finish 2023 at 4,358, according to a CNBC Pro survey. That's because there's too much fear in the market, with the S & P 500 at one point moving into correction territory. Avoiding a recessionary-level slowdown for the ISM PMI would imply upside for the S & P 500 over the next six months, he said.

Persons: Barry Bannister, Bannister, outperformance, —, Michael Bloom Organizations: CNBC, ISM, PMI, Federal Reserve Locations: Wednesday's

☆ Asia's factories squeezed as China's nascent recovery teeters
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Purchasing managers' indexes (PMIs) for factory powerhouses China, Japan and South Korea showed activity shrinking while Vietnam and Malaysia also struggled with the broadening fallout from a Chinese slowdown. "Overall, manufacturers were not in high spirits in October," said Wang Zhe, an economist at Caixin Insight Group, on China's survey outcome. Japan's factory activity shrank for a fifth straight month in October, the final au Jibun Bank PMI showed. South Korea's factory activity fell for the 16th straight month while PMIs from Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia also showed continued declines in activity. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that China's weak recovery and the risk of a more protracted property crisis could further dent Asia's economic prospects.

Persons: Stringer, Wang Zhe, Leika Kihara, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, PMI, P Global, Caixin Insight, Jibun, Murata Manufacturing, Monetary Fund, IMF, Thomson Locations: Zouping, Shandong province, China, Japan, South Korea, TOKYO, Vietnam, Malaysia, PMIs, Taiwan, Asia

☆ China October factory surveys disappoint, weigh on Q4 momentum
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing PMI fell to 49.5 in October from 50.6 in September, marking the first contraction since July and missing analysts' forecasts of 50.8 by a large margin. A slowdown in Chinese manufacturing will also soften China's imports. Following the release of the gloomy data, China shares (.SSEC) eased 0.15%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (.HSI) fell 0.75%. PMI surveys track business conditions and offer the first monthly snapshot of China's economic performance. New export orders for Chinese manufactured goods have shrunk for four consecutive months amid a relatively sluggish global economic climate.

Persons: China's, Hong, HSI, Bruce Pang, Jones Lang Lasalle, Goldman Sachs, Ellen Zhang, Ryan Woo, Kim Coghill, Lincoln Organizations: P Global, PMI, Manufacturers, London Metal Exchange, Jones, Goldman, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Japan, South Korea, China, Guangzhou

☆ US job openings stay elevated, layoffs hit nine-month low
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS report from the Labor Department on Wednesday also showed layoffs dropping to a nine-month low. There were 1.50 job openings for every unemployed person in September, slightly up from 1.49 in August and way above the pre-pandemic ratio of 1.2. Data for August was revised lower to show 9.497 million job openings instead of the previously reported 9.610 million. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 9.250 million job openings in September. Job openings dropped 43,000 in federal government and there were 41,000 open positions in the information industry.

Persons: Christopher Rupkey, Conrad DeQuadros, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Organizations: Federal Reserve, Labor, Survey, Labor Department, Treasury, Reuters, Brean, Institute for Supply Management, United Auto Workers, UAW, Detroit's Big, Ford Motor, General Motors, Chrysler, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, New York

☆ China PMI: Factory activity unexpectedly contracts in October as demand drops
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s massive manufacturing sector has contracted once again amid weak demand, fueling calls for stronger policy support to boost growth. Fewer working days in October due to the Golden Week holiday, which spanned September 29 to October 6, affected the manufacturing PMI, according to the NBS. “The unexpected decline of manufacturing PMI shows the recovery in China is a bumpy road as domestic demand is still quite weak,” said Zhiwei Zhang, president and chief economist for Pinpoint Asset Management. The NBS survey showed that new factory orders declined in October from the previous month, pointing to a drop in demand. Overall, “the weak PMI reinforces the case for stronger fiscal policy support,” Zhang said.

Persons: ”, Zhiwei Zhang, ” Zhang, Xi Jinping, “, Zhaopeng Xing Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, National Bureau of Statistics, PMI, Nomura, Authorities, ANZ Research, Bank of Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Hangzhou, Liuzhou, Bank of China

☆ China factory activity unexpectedly shrinks in Oct, dents recovery momentum
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

China Daily via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 31 (Reuters) - China's manufacturing activity unexpectedly contracted in October, an official factory survey showed on Tuesday, underlining the challenge facing policymakers trying to engineer a durable economic recovery. Recent indicators pointed to encouraging signs of stabilising in the world's second-largest economy, supported by a flurry of policy support measures, although a protracted property crisis and soft global demand remain major headwinds. "Although there are signs of exports bottoming out, a strong recovery in external demand is probably elusive," he added. But analysts say more policy support may be needed to ensure the economy reaches Beijing's annual growth target of about 5%. "The additional 1 trillion yuan will help in November and December," Economist Intelligence Unit's Xu said.

Persons: Xu Tianchen, Dan Wang, Nomura, Unit's Xu, Joe Cash, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, National Bureau, Statistics, PMI, Economist Intelligence Unit, Hang Seng Bank China, JPMorgan, Moody's, Thomson Locations: Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, Rights BEIJING

☆ Euro zone PMI hits lowest in nearly 3 years, stirs recession worries
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HCOB's flash euro zone Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global and seen as a good guide to overall economic health, fell to 46.5 in October from September's 47.2, its lowest since November 2020. "In the euro zone, things are moving from bad to worse," said Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank. "We wouldn't be caught off guard to see a mild recession in the euro zone in the second half of this year with two back to back quarters of negative growth." While the 20-country euro zone will narrowly dodge a recession, according to a recent Reuters poll, the economy was expected to have only flatlined last quarter and will do the same again in the current one. The composite employment index fell to 49.4 from 50.8.

Persons: Sarah Meyssonnier, Cyrus de la Rubia, Rubia, Jonathan Cable, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Carrefour, REUTERS, P Global, Hamburg Commercial Bank, Service, PMI, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Montesson, Paris, France, September's, Hamburg

☆ German business activity slump suggests recession 'well underway' -PMI
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The HCOB German Flash Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, fell to 45.8 in October from September's 46.4, below the 46.7 forecast by economists. A reading below the 50 level points to a contraction in business activity. The composite PMI index tracks the services and manufacturing sectors that together account for more than two-thirds of the German economy, Europe's biggest. Business activity in the services sector was unexpectedly back in contraction territory after slight growth the month before, with the reading falling to 48.0 from 50.3 in September. Well there are, especially in the manufacturing sector," said de la Rubia, pointing to improvements in new orders and output, as well as an increase in stocks of purchases.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Cyrus de la Rubia, la, Miranda Murray, Hugh Lawson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, P Global, Hamburg Commercial Bank, PMI, Reuters, Thomson Locations: ThyssenKrupp, Duisburg, Germany, September's, Hamburg

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