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Global factory activity weakens
Factory activity around the world is slowing, signaling a lagging economy that is curtailed by inflation and rising interest rates. Manufacturing powerhouses in Asia, like Taiwan and South Korea, saw some of the biggest declines - not a good sign given their status as bellwethers of global economic health. In a range of manufacturing PMIs measured by IHS Markit, Caixin of China and Jibun Bank in Japan, all showed negative trends. China, which had been the first country where factory activity gained traction again after the initial Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, now showed one of the shakiest performances as the nation is ... (full story)