China’s Manufacturing Activity Surges in July
Chinese manufacturing activity increased sharply in July, rising at its fastest pace in more than two years, an official survey showed on Friday (August 1), as the world's second-largest economy shows signs of increasing momentum. The official purchasing managers index (PMI) hit 51.7 last month, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement. The figure was up from 51.0 in June and the best since 53.3 in April 2012. It was also above the median 51.4 forecast in a survey of nine economists by The Wall Street Journal. "We are optimistic about China's economic outlook in the remainder of this year, as the growth momentum is picking up while the inflation remains mild," ANZ Bank economists Liu Li-Gang and Zhou Hao said in a note reacting to the survey. The index tracks manufacturing activity in China's factories and workshops and is a closely watched indicator of the health of the economy. A reading above 50 indicates growth, while anything below points to contraction. China's official PMI data came after British bank HSBC last week announced a jump in its survey to a preliminary reading of 52.0 for July, its highest since January 2013. The final figures are due to be released on Friday. Qu Hongbin, HSBC's chief China economist, said small revisions to several sub-indices brought the number down from the preliminary figure. "Nevertheless, the economy is improving sequentially and registered across-the-board improvement compared to June," he said in a press release accompanying the data. Policy makers are continuing with targeted easing in recent weeks…
Crude Oil Prices Lower in Asia, Manufacturing Hits 5-Month High
The Asian trade oil prices has slipped following healthy gains in London and New York, but losses were limited as investors were cheered by signs of recovery in China's manufacturing sector, Business Inquirer reports. The Western Texas Intermediate (WTI) – for delivery in July – eased seven cents to $104 in afternoon trade, after jumping $1.74 which was close to a one-month high yesterday. Brent North Sea crude oil for July was down three cents at $110.51. The contract gained 86 cents in London, touching a level last seen in early March. Banking giant HSBC said preliminary data from its Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) showed activity in China's factories shrinking at a much slower pace in May than the previous month, improving from 49.7 to 48.1. Whilst this figure is below the 50-mark, which normally signals a contraction, it is the second straight month of improvement and is a telling sign that the world's number two economy is picking up. "Chinese PMI came in a lot better than expected, especially since the past few Chinese data have been really week," says Desmond Chua, market analyst at CMC Markets in Singapore.
Jaya Tiasa Holdings Berhad
Branching out Jaya Tiasa are one of Malaysia's fastest growing oil palm players Writer Matt Bone Project Manager Tom Cullum Jaya Tiasa Holdings Berhad is a company listed on the Main Board of Bursa Securities Berhad, with a market capitalisation exceeding RM2.5 billion. The Group started off as a downstream wood processing company in Tanjong Ensurai, Sarawak in 1983. By 1994, Jaya Tiasa had constructed another four processing mills and proceeded to open them. Dato' Wong Sie Young, CEO of Jaya Tiasa, outlines how the Group have grown over the last 12 years: "Our timber processing operations have grown significantly over the years. In 2002, we diversified into the oil palm business. Our first Crude Palm Oil (CPO) mill commenced operation in 2009. Today, we are one of Sarawak's leading oil palm players with an estimated plantable area of about 70,900 hectares, as well as being one of Malaysia's foremost fully integrated timber producers, with access to over 1.76 million acres of timber concessions and an annual turnover of more than RM1 billion." As of May 2014, the Group have a workforce of about 4,500 employees who have a diverse mixture of backgrounds, experiences and expertise across its operations. To meet future challenges, remain competitive and ensure continued growth of their business, Jaya Tiasa strive to be an attractive employer with the ability to recruit, develop and retain the best people. "We develop our employees through training and education, respect individual integrity and human rights, offer fair pay and advancement opportunities and maintain a safe and…
Chinese manufacturing hits 18-month high
China's manufacturing activity grew at its fastest pace in 18 months in October, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Friday, with the official purchasing managers' index (PMI) advancing to 51.4 last month from 51.1 in September. The data is another sign of increasing strength in the world's second-largest economy, which grew 7.8 percent in the July-to-September quarter. Manufacturing is a key driver of China's growth and the country has set an overall growth target of 7.5 percent for the year. The PMI index, which measures manufacturing activity in Chinese factories and workshops, is a widely observed monitor of the country's economic health. A reading above 50 indicates expansion while anything below signals contraction. Image: © Getty Copyright is owned by Asia Outlook and/or Outlook Publishing. All rights reserved.
China trade shows signs of recovery
In a sign that China's economy made be stabilising, new government data has revealed that the country's exports and imports grew in July. Exports rose 5.1 percent year-on-year, up from a 3.1 percent fall in June. Imports were up 10.9 percent year-on-year, rebounding from a 0.7 percent fall last month. China's economy – seen as a potential driver of global recovery – recorded its worst performance in more than a decade in 2012, with GDP expanding 7.8 percent. In recent weeks the government has stepped up efforts to support the economy, announcing a series of small, targeted measures, including the temporary cancellation of taxes for small businesses. It also announced the cancellation of some customs inspection fees and simplified approval procedures in a bid to boost exports. The overall trade surplus fell to 29.6 percent year-on-year to $17.8 billion. Image: © Getty Copyright is owned by Asia Outlook and/or Outlook Publishing. All rights reserved.
China’s manufacturing hits nine-month low
China's manufacturing activity hit a nine-month low in June as demand fell, according to HSBC's closely-watched Flash China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI). The British banking giant said its preliminary index came in at 48.3, down from May's reading of 49.2. A reading below 50 indicates a contraction. The weak data comes amid concerns over the health of Chinese economy. "Manufacturing sectors are weighed down by deteriorating external demand, moderating domestic demand and rising destocking pressures. Beijing prefers to use reforms rather than stimulus to sustain growth. While reforms can boost long-term growth prospects, they will have a limited impact in the short term," Qu Hongbin, HSBC's chief economist for China, said in the release. HSBC said it will release the final reading for the month on July 1. China's economy grew 7.8 percent in 2012, its worst performance in 13 years, and the first three months of the year saw expansion of just 7.7 percent. The government has set a growth target for 2013 of 7.5 percent. Image: © Getty Copyright is owned by Asia Outlook and/or Outlook Publishing. All rights reserved.
Chinese manufacturing growth slows in April
China's April manufacturing PMI, released by HSBC, slowed in April, adding to concerns about the country's economic recovery. HSBC's Flash Purchasing Managers Index fell to 50.5, from 51.6 in March. A drop in new export orders was behind the decline, HSBC said. Qu Hongbin, Chief Economist for Greater China and Co-Head of Asian Economic Research at HSBC, explained: "New export orders contracted after a temporary rebound in March suggesting external demand for China's exporters remains weak. Weaker overall demand has also started to weigh on employment in the manufacturing sector. "Beijing is expected to respond strongly to sustain the economic recovery by increasing efforts to boost domestic investment and consumption in the coming months," he added. Image: © Getty Copyright is owned by Asia Outlook and/or Outlook Publishing. All rights reserved.
Chinese manufacturing activity improves in March
Manufacturing activity in China picked up speed in March after expanding at its slowest pace in four months in February, an initial HSBC survey has shown. The preliminary reading of HSBC's Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rose to 51.7, from 50.4 in February, which was the lowest reading since October. Manufacturers reported a bigger backlog of work and a faster rate of increase in purchases, and stocks of finished goods expanded. Employment however increased at a slower rate than in February. Inflationary pressures eased. "March Flash Manufacturing PMI rebounded to 51.7 on the back of stronger new orders and production growth," Qu Hongbin, Chief Economist, Greater China, and Co-Head of Asian Economic Research at HSBC, said in a statement on Thursday. "This implies that the Chinese economy is still on track for gradual growth recovery. "Inflation remains well behaved, leaving room for Beijing to keep policy relatively accommodative in a bid to sustain growth recovery," he added. China's economy expanded 7.8 percent in 2012, its slowest pace for 13 years. Inflation hit a 10-month high of 3.2 percent in February, up from January's 2.0 percent. The Flash index is published about one week before the final PMI data. HSBC's China Manufacturing PMI is due for release on 1 April. Image: © Getty Copyright is owned by Asia Outlook and/or Outlook Publishing. All rights reserved.
Lego to build factory in China
Danish toy maker Lego has announced plans to build its own factory in China to serve the rapidly growing Asian market. The company said construction of the 120,000sqm plant in Jiaxing would begin next year and it would create 2000 Chinese jobs. The new plant will be around 100km from Shanghai where the Lego is planning to locate a regional distribution centre for Asia. It will be fully operational by 2017. "It is our strategy to have production close to our core markets in order to secure short lead-time and world class service to our customers and consumers, and it has proven a successful strategy. Asia – including China – is a future core market for the Lego Group and therefore I am excited to share our plans for the new factory. Having full control of the production process is essential to deliver products of a consistent high quality and safety and in harmony with our values," said Bali Padda, COO. "In addition by placing a manufacturing site in the region we reduce our environmental impact as we will reduce the need for transporting products from Europe to be sold in Asia." In 2009 Lego opened its first non-European factory in Monterrey, Mexico. Until now, products sold in Asia have been shipped from Europe. Lego said sales in Asia had grown by more than 50 percent annually in recent years. "Based on our current expectations for growth in Asia, the factory should be able to supply approximately 70-80 percent of all the Lego products sold in…
China names new president
Beijing has confirmed Xi Jinping as president, replacing Hu Jintao who is stepping down after 10 years at the top. Mr Xi was elected by 2,952 votes to one, with three abstentions. The ritual ballot took place at Beijing's Great Hall of the People. "Now I announce comrade Xi Jinping is selected as president of the People's Republic of China," said Liu Yunshan, who was chairing the National People's Congress (NPC). Mr Xi, 59, was named general secretary of the Communist Party on 8 November and also given the leadership of the top military body, the Central Military Commission. A new premier is scheduled to be named on Friday, replacing Wen Jiabao. Li Yuanchao, an ally of Mr Xi, was elected to be vice-president. It was China's second orderly succession since Communist party rule began in 1949. Image: © Getty Copyright is owned by Asia Outlook and/or Outlook Publishing. All rights reserved.
