UK manufacturers’ optimism hit by rising costs July 7, 2014 Optimism among UK manufacturers dipped in June for the first time in 14 months, as challenging operating conditions threaten to slow confidence growth in the sector, according to a survey released today by accountants and business advisers BDO LLP. The BDO optimism sub-index for the manufacturing sector, which predicts growth expectations in six months’ time, [...]
Asian manufacturing firms bouncing back after spring slump July 1, 2014 Two of Asia’s largest manufacturing sectors indicated more robust growth in June, with businesses in both China and Japan reporting an improved expansion last month. Data from Nomura and JMMA suggest that Japan’s manufacturing firms are bouncing back from their decline around April’s sales tax hike, with a purchasing managers’ index (PMI) score of 51.5. [...]
Eurozone manufacturing sectors show slow growth July 1, 2014 The Eurozone’s industrial growth slowed for a second month in June, according to a series of business surveys which suggested the currency union was still expanding only at a weak pace. Markit’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) released yesterday came in at just 51.8 in June, the lowest of 2014 so far. New business inflows [...]
UK manufacturing growth moves up a gear with job creation at 39-month high July 1, 2014 The UK's manufacturing sector is growing faster than we thought. The latest figures from Markit see June's headline purchasing managers' index (PMI) revised up from an initial reading of 57 to a final estimate of 57.5. Any number above 50 implies growth, and figures in the region we're seeing now suggest the sector is enjoying [...]
East Asian manufacturing firms signal return to growth in June June 23, 2014 Industrial companies in China and Japan reported that business expansion had restarted again this month, after periods of stagnation and contraction. HSBC’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the Chinese manufacturing sector registered a score of 50.8, above the mark that signals an expansion for the first time since the end of last year. [...]
China manufacturing sector shows first growth since December June 23, 2014 The Chinese manufacturing sector grew in June for the first time in six months, according to a report from HSBC/Markit. The growth drove up the price of commodities, with iron ore and copper futures among the risers. A rise in commodity prices is boosting the Australian mining sector, with shares in Rio Tinto, Fortesque Metals [...]
Economists made two huge errors in a key US manufacturing survey June 2, 2014 A US manufacturing sector survey came in at an unexpectedly low level earlier. The ISM manufacturing index dropped from 54.9 in April to 53.2 for May, well below the 55.5 economists had been expecting. But analysts at Stone McCarthy Research Associates spotted a huge flaw with how adjustments to the survey data were made, which [...]
Tanfield dives after profits warning July 2, 2008 Electric vehicle maker Tanfield crashed more than 80 per cent after warning its profits would be drastically hit by the economic slowdown. Stunned City investors questioned the management’s credibility after the Tyne and Wear-based company gave no hint of what was to come in a statement issued on Friday in response to its share price [...]
Dial M to turn the wheels November 2, 2005 The new BMW looks fabulous, goes like a dream and costs £80k, but you need a computing degree to drive it. There are few cars that cook tarmac as well as those engineered in BMW’s “M” division, and the new £80,000 M6 is no exception. With a 500bhp V10 stuffed under the bonnet it’s been [...]
Show Stoppers November 2, 2005 Bored and want somewhere to go, then vroom along to these car events There is plenty to quench the thirst of parched petrol heads this week, whether their tonic be car, motorbike or truck. First up is the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show which will involve a trip out of the capital and up to [...]