BEIJING (Reuters) -China's manufacturing and services activity both expanded at a slower pace in April, official surveys showed on Tuesday, suggesting some loss of momentum for the world's second-biggest economy at the start of the second quarter. Investors expect Chinese authorities to launch more stimulus to support the economy and are waiting for clues from the monthly Politburo meeting, which is expected to focus on economic affairs.
Production at U.S. factories rose in November, lifted by a rebound in motor vehicle output following the end of strikes, but activity was weaker elsewhere as manufacturing grapples with higher borrowing costs and softening demand. Despite the manufacturing sector's mixed fortunes, the economy continued to expand as the year ended. A survey on Friday showed business activity picked up in December amid rising orders and demand for workers in the services industry.
China's services activity expanded at a quicker pace in November, a private-sector survey showed on Tuesday, as the upturn in new businesses were the best seen for three months amid reports of firmer market conditions. The findings present a mixed picture of the vast services sector as an official survey last week showed the sector unexpectedly contracted for the first time since December last year, prompting calls for more stimulus measures. The Caixin/S&P Global services purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to a three-month high of 51.5 in November from October's 50.4, but it remained softer than the long-run series average.
Some of Europe's top companies, including Volkswagen and Unilever warned on Thursday that business in the region is increasingly tough, underscoring concerns that the full impact of high inflation and borrowing is now being felt by consumers. Unilever delivered third quarter sales which met market expectations after the maker of Dove soap and Ben & Jerry's ice cream raised prices albeit at a slower rate. But volumes fell by as much as 10.7% in Europe, its weakest region where business remained challenging.
U.S. business activity ticked higher in October while output in the euro zone took a surprise turn for the worse, surveys showed on Tuesday, underscoring the diverging path for central bankers in the two regions and fanning fears the bloc may slip into recession. In the United States, the manufacturing sector pulled out of a five-month contraction on a pickup in new orders, and services activity accelerated modestly amid signs of easing inflationary pressures. S&P Global said its flash U.S. Composite Purchasing Managers Index tracking both the manufacturing and service sectors rose to 51.0 in October - one point above the 50 level that separates expansion and contraction - from a final September reading of 50.2.
Oil prices slipped in early Asian trade on Thursday as weak manufacturing data in major economies outweighed optimism around a larger-than-expected drop in U.S. crude stocks. Markets are also looking for hints on the outlook for how long interest rates will remain at current levels ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at a central bank symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, starting on Thursday. Brent crude fell 27 cents, or 0.3%, to $82.94 a barrel by 0002 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 31 cents, or 0.4%, to $78.58.
It's summer camp season and not to be left out, U.S. rate setters and overseas pals gather in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to talk central banking. The so-called BRICS grouping gathers too amid increasing disquiet in some big emerging markets, while business activity data globally and China property woes mean August is proving far from dull. Here's a look at the week ahead in markets from Ira Iosebashvili in New York, Li Gu in Shanghai, Yoruk Bahceli in Amsterdam, Jorgelina do Rosario and Marc Jones in London and Rachel Savage in Johannesburg.
AHA and Federation of American Hospitals join forces to urge the FTC to extend the public comment period for proposed changes to the premerger notification form and rules.