Global Manufacturing Faces Challenges as UK and Eurozone Sectors Contract Sharply

Factory activity in the UK and Eurozone declines, while mixed performance in Asia and resilience in Spain highlight regional disparities.

The UK's manufacturing PMI fell to 47.0 in December, reflecting an 11-month low, with SMEs hit hardest due to rising costs and weak exports.
Eurozone manufacturing PMI dropped to 45.1, marking continued contraction, with Germany, France, and Italy struggling while Spain's PMI rose to 53.3, signaling growth.
China's factory activity slowed to a PMI of 50.5, as export orders declined and concerns grew over potential U.S. tariffs under President-elect Donald Trump.
India's manufacturing activity remained robust but hit a 12-month low PMI of 56.4, with softer domestic demand offset by stronger export growth.
Mixed results in Asia showed South Korea's PMI contracting to 49.0, while Taiwan and Southeast Asia reported modest improvements in factory activity.