Euro zone factory activity contracted further last month, albeit not by as much as initially thought, while the cost of raw materials fell at the fastest pace in nearly three years, a survey showed on Tuesday.
Italy's manufacturing sector shrank in April, ending three months of growth, as production and new orders fell and purchasing activity was sharply reduced, a survey showed on Tuesday.
Japan's factory activity contracted for the sixth straight month in April, but the details of a private survey released on Monday showed the manufacturing sector was edging towards stabilisation amid a slower decline in new orders.
India's factory activity expanded at its quickest pace in four months in April, driven by solid growth in new orders and output, a private survey showed on Monday, signaling resilient demand and an encouraging outlook.
Stocks closed higher in April, adding to their year-to-date gains and beginning the second quarter positively. But directional drivers for stocks were largely absent during the month. The. | May 1, 2023