China factories bottoming out, HSBC PMI signals

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's manufacturing sector showed fresh signs of bottoming out in April, with export orders ticking up, but activity still contracted for a sixth consecutive month, according to a private sector survey on Wednesday.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's factori

Berlin halved its 2012 German economic forecast for 2012 to one percent. What does that say for the rest of Europe? Will Germany even grow at all?

The global economy continues to weaken, but not in a straight line as China rebounded somewhat, with Japan deteriorating further.

Offi

NEW YORK — U.S. manufacturing growth picked up in March as new orders increased and hiring quickened, closing out the best quarter for the sector in two years, a survey showed on Monday. Financial data firm Markit said its U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index rose to 54.6 last month from 54.3 in February. A reading above 50 indicates expansion. Output increased, though the rate of growth slipped to 56.6 from 57.3 in February.