Global manufacturing slowdown persists

@CNNMoney April 23, 2012: 4:35 PM ET
china-manufacturing.gi.top.jpg

Chinese workers go about their chores at a textile factory in Huaibei, Anhui. China's manufacturing sector contracted in April.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Manufacturers in Europe and China are still hurting, marking a weak point in the global economy, two separate reports showed Monday.

Manufacturing activity in the euro zone's 17 countries recently slumped to the lowest level in nearly three years, according to Markit's Purchasing Managers' Index. At 46 in April, the index was down from 47.7 in March. Any number below 50 indicates the sector is contracting.

Orders for new goods have been falling as Europe is mired in a recession. In April, factories slashed jobs at the fastest rate since early-2010.

Meanwhile, China's manufacturers also continued to see their business shrink in April, registering a PMI at 49.1, according to data compiled by HSBC and Markit.

Granted, that was not as sharp of a contraction as China saw in March, when its PMI was at 48.3, but it was still seen as a sign that China's government may need to do more to boost its economy.

"The pace of both growth and demand output remains at a low level in a historical context and the job market is under pressure," said Hongbin Qu, HSBC's chief economist for China, in a note.

Slowdowns in manufacturing abroad are worrisome in the U.S. as well because they often translate into weaker demand for American exports. The euro zone accounts for roughly 13% of all the goods the United States exports, and China accounts for about 7%

"Slowing in either region hurts our ability to expand," said Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers.

American manufacturers have already been feeling the impact.

Trade data released by the Commerce Department earlier this month showed goods exports fell slightly in February. Separate regional reports since then show the U.S. manufacturing recovery may have lost some steam in April.

Now manufacturers are hanging their hopes on a gradual housing recovery, strong auto sales and a better job market.

"Even though there is this period of weakness right now, [manufacturers] continue to be relatively upbeat," Moutray said.

"You continue to see a gradually improving housing sector, motor vehicles continue to be selling really well, and I think that as we get some improved employment numbers as we get later in the year, there certainly is potential for a better economy later," he added. To top of page

Overnight Avg Rate Latest Change Last Week
30 yr fixed3.80%3.88%
15 yr fixed3.20%3.23%
5/1 ARM3.84%3.88%
30 yr refi3.82%3.93%
15 yr refi3.20%3.23%
Rate data provided
by Bankrate.com
View rates in your area
 
Find personalized rates:
Economic Calendar
Latest ReportNext Update
Home pricesAug 28
Consumer confidenceAug 28
GDPAug 29
Manufacturing (ISM)Sept 4
JobsSept 7
Inflation (CPI)Sept 14
Retail sales Sept 14
  • -->

    Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.