Economics
Global Factory Weakness Spreads as Debt Crisis Persists
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Manufacturing from Europe to China contracted in September as the euro region’s fiscal crisis eroded investor confidence and clouded global growth prospects.
A gauge of manufacturing in the 17-nation euro region was at 46.1, above an initial estimate of 46 on Sept. 20, Markit Economics in London said today. A reading below 50 indicates contraction. A Chinese factory index was at 49.8 for September, a statistics bureau report showed. In the U.S., manufacturing unexpectedly returned to growth last month.