Global Equipment Firms Hit as China Construction Slows

If the trend is reflected in official data, it could signal an end of the period in which employment has been growing strongly while economic output remains flat, reports The Financial Times. The survey also found that a two-speed labour market is emerging where there is a lack of candidates for high-skilled roles despite relatively high unemployment.

From the second quarter the government has unleashed a lot of projects, and that has started to be felt in the economy, but it’s not a very healthy recovery yet BEIJING — China’s economy picked up in November, but a broader global recovery remains fragile and patchy, a clutch of factory surveys suggested on Monday, with activity elsewhere in Asia remaining subdued amid depressed demand from the developed world.

CNN Money reports Chinese buying of U.S. business at record pace Chinese direct investment in the United States could hit a record high in 2012, according to a new research report released Wednesday. Total Chinese foreign direct investment in the U.S. is on pace to reach at least $8 billion this year, according to the report from research firm Rhodium Group.

For the first time, a mainland Chinese company has defaulted on its bonds. SunTech Power Holdings has been clinging on by its teeth but after failing to repay $541mm of notes due on March 15th - and following four consecutive quarters of losses through the first quarter of 2012 and since then having failed to report quarterly earnings - owed to Chinese domestic lenders, the firm is restructuring.

By Valuentum: According to Bloomberg, industrial conglomerate GE (GE) is considering purchasing mining equipment maker Joy Global (JOY).

Tickerspy submits: By Max Magee The recent pullback has hit nearly every segment of the market, but more speculative names have been hit the hardest. The dozens of Chinese small caps that now populate the major U.S. exchanges have been regarded by many as risky in any market, but the double whammy of concerns about accounting regularities at these firms and the market's sudden shying away from riskier assets has sent Chinese names plummeting across the board.

Zacks.com submits: Joy Global Incorporation (JOYG) reported adjusted earnings of $1.52 per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, compared with $1.15 per share in the year-ago quarter. The results of the company also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.35 per share. Total Revenue

Zacks.com submits: Joy Global Incorporation (JOYG) reported adjusted earnings of 96 cents per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, compared with 73 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The results of the company were a dime short of the Zacks Consensus expectation. Total Revenue