Insights Economic activity in US manufacturing contracted in October for the eighth month in a row, following a two-month expansion preceded by 26 straight months of contraction, the ISM manufacturing PMI report said. Textile mills; apparel, leather & allied products; furniture & related products; petroleum & coal products; and chemical products were among the 12 sectors reporting contraction in October. Economic activity in the US manufacturing sector contracted in October this y

Insights Global manufacturing has strengthened in October as the JP Morgan Global PMI rose to 50.8, marking a third straight month of expansion. Growth was driven by Asia, the US, and the euro area, with the UK returning to growth. Export demand stayed weak, and employment was flat. Input costs rose for the 27th month, though inflation slowed to a five-month low. The global manufacturing upturn extended into October, with both production and new orders rising for the third straight month, acc

Insights UK manufacturing output expanded for the first time in a year in October, as firms depleted backlogs of work and raised stocks, PMI data show. Three of the PMI constituents—new orders, employment and stocks of purchases—registered contractions. Market conditions faced by manufacturers remained tough. Although business optimism climbed to an eight-month high, it remained below its long-run average. UK manufacturing output expanded for the first time in a year in October, a

Insights Cambodia's exports of textiles, footwear, travel goods and bags were worth about $12 billion in the first nine months this year—a YoY rise of 16.6 per cent. Garments exported were worth $8.63 billion, textiles $505 million, footwear $1.54 billion, while export of travel goods and bags were worth $1.53 billion. ASEAN was the largest market, with exports to the bloc rising by 33 per cent YoY. Cambodia’s exports of textiles, garments, footwear, travel goods and bags were wor

Insights ICE cotton futures closed slightly higher on expectations of improved global demand, offsetting pressure from a stronger US dollar and steady crude oil prices. December 2025 futures settled at 65.68 cents per pound. Market sentiment was supported by hopes for stronger US cotton purchases, though the ongoing government shutdown has delayed key USDA reports. ICE cotton futures closed higher on expectations of increased demand for the natural fibre. The optimism outweighed pressure from

Insights Vietnam's manufacturing sector gained strong momentum in October 2025 as the S&P Global PMI rose to 54.5 from 50.4, the sharpest improvement since July 2024. Output, new orders, and employment expanded, while confidence reached a 16-month high. Input and output prices rose at faster rates amid supply challenges, though overall optimism remained solid despite inflationary and weather-related pressures. Vietnam’s manufacturing sector strengthened at the start of the final qua

Insights Indian manufacturing conditions strengthened in October, buoyed by GST reforms, productivity gains and tech investment, PMI data show. A faster rise in new orders boosted growth of output and buying levels, and the latter drove a near-record expansion in input inventories. External sales rose the slowest in ten months. Job creation entered its twentieth month in a row in October; growing moderately. Manufacturing sector conditions in India continued to strengthen in October, buoyed b

Insights China's manufacturing sector continued to expand at the start of the final quarter of the year, latest PMI data by S&P Global show. At 50.6, down from 51.2 in September, the latest reading indicated that growth slowed in the latest survey period and was only marginal. Meanwhile, the Chinese government's official data revealed the manufacturing PMI stood at 49 in the month—down by 0.8 pp from September. China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand at the start of t

Insights Global FDI declined 3 per cent in H1 2025, marking a continued two-year slump as trade tensions, high borrowing costs, and geopolitical uncertainty curbed investor confidence, according to UNCTAD. Developed economies saw an 18 per cent fall in M&As. Greenfield and renewable projects dropped sharply, though AI-driven investments and sovereign wealth fund activity may aid recovery later in 2025. Global foreign direct investment (FDI) fell 3 per cent in the first half (H1) of 2025,

Insights UK textile brands cut carbon by 6 per cent and water use by 9 per cent since 2019, according to the UK Textiles Pact's fourth Annual Progress Update by WRAP. The report highlights significant gains from sustainable fibres, recycled content, and improved manufacturing processes. However, rising production volumes—up 17 per cent since 2019—offset overall reductions. Sustainability teams in the United Kingdom are driving real progress to reduce impacts by improving products,