All articles tagged with #factory output
China's factory output and retail sales growth slowed to their lowest levels in months, signaling a weakening economy amid domestic demand issues, property sector slowdown, and external trade tensions, prompting calls for increased policy support to meet growth targets.
US manufacturing grew for the first time in 1-1/2 years in March, with production rebounding and new orders increasing, but employment at factories remained subdued. Risks remain from rising raw material prices, which could lead to goods inflation. The Institute for Supply Management's survey indicated that the sector is on the mend, but challenges persist. While manufacturing has turned the corner, construction spending unexpectedly dropped in February.
China's retail sales and factory output in October exceeded expectations, with retail sales surging 7.6% and industrial output expanding 4.6%. However, the real estate sector continued to weigh on the economy, with investment in real estate development falling 9.3% year-on-year. Despite the positive data, China's overall recovery is seen as "sputtering, but still has legs." Consumer confidence ticked up, but concerns remain about muted consumer demand and the country's economic strength.
Germany's economy is at risk of falling into a recession as factory output fell by 1.9% in November, the biggest drop in almost a decade. The decline in manufacturing, which accounts for about a fifth of the German economy, has raised concerns about the country's economic growth prospects.