Page 3 - Factory Activity
Asia factory activity sputters in Dec on China slowdown, trade disputes
China's weakness spilled over to other economies, with Malaysia's manufacturing activity shrinking to its weakest pace of expansion since 2012 and Taiwan contracting to its lowest since September 2015
 "Asia factory activity sputters in Dec on China slowdown, trade disputes")
India's Manufacturing PMI hits 5-year high in December
The country's manufacturing sector witnessed higher payroll figures in December while the rate of job creation rose to its highest since August 2012
 "India's Manufacturing PMI hits 5-year high in December")
China factories limp along, Japan inflation goes backwards
There was some evidence that China has stabilised, if only because of a burst of government spending and a red-hot housing market
 "China factories limp along, Japan inflation goes backwards")
US factory activity slips
US manufacturing activity eased in July amid shrinking order backlogs and declining employment, while an unexpected drop in construction spending in June suggested second-quarter economic was probably even weaker than reported last week. The Institute for Supply Management's report on Monday said its index of national factory activity slipped 0.6 percentage point to a reading of 52.6 last month. The index has now increased for five straight months. In a separate report, the Commerce Department said construction spending declined 0.6 per cent to its lowest level since June 2015 after dipping 0.1 per cent May. June marked the third straight month of declines in outlays. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast construction spending rising 0.5 per cent in June after a previously reported 0.8 per cent drop in May.
