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Strong demand for manufactured goods helped the factory PMI soar to 57.7 from 54.8, the highest since February 2018

Euro zone services hobbled in February - PMI

Business activity across the euro zone contracted again in February as lockdown measures to contain the coronavirus hammered the bloc's dominant service industry, a survey showed, even as factories had their busiest month in three years.

Business • 19 Feb 21

In China, the world's second-biggest economy, factory activity showed scant growth

Torpid activity in Asian factories as demand slows

Asia's factories showed few signs of returning to health in August, as torpid activity in the region's biggest economies, China and Japan, suggested world demand remained fitful at best.

Business • 01 Sep 16

The reading of PM2.5 is nearly seven times the World Health Organisation's recommended maximum exposure of 25

Chinese plants cut production amid Beijing smog

Beijing has ordered 2,100 factories to suspend or reduce production as part of its "red alert" measures to deal with smog, the government said today.

Business • 21 Dec 15

Caterpillar could eliminate more than 10,000 positions worldwide

Caterpillar to cut thousands of jobs, close plants

US manufacturing giant Caterpillar has announced a major cost-cutting programme that could shut more than 20 facilities and eliminate more than 10,000 jobs.

Business • 24 Sep 15

Output was still contracting, but at a much slower rate than in previous months

Chinese manufacturing shows signs of recovery

China's factory and services sectors had their best showings in months in May as demand rebounded, surveys showed, fuelling optimism that its economy may be steadying after a weak start to the year.

Business • 03 Jun 14

November was the sixth consecutive month of faster growth in the sector

US manufacturing sees strongest growth since 2011

A gauge of US factory activity hit a 2-1/2-year high in November and construction spending increased solidly in October, brightening the economic outlook as the year winds down.

Business • 02 Dec 13

UK industrial out slumps by 1.1% in August

UK industrial output sees surprise fall in August

British industrial output suffered an unexpected fall in August as factories cut production, official data showed today.

Business • 09 Oct 13

UK at risk of longer slump as factories hit

British manufacturing output barely grew at all in April as an economic slowdown in the euro zone curbed demand for goods made in Britain, a survey showed today, raising the risk of a longer recession.

Business • 01 May 12

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