China's underground banks spread pain as defaults rise

BEIJING (AP) — Fan Xiaolin, an engineer in Changsha in central China, thought he was safe when he deposited his family's savings of 800,000 yuan ($130,000) in a private finance company he said was recommended by employees of state-owned Bank of China.

UK manufacturing growth at three-month high

The UK manufacturing activity grew at its fastest pace for three months in October, despite a sharp fall in export orders, a survey has indicated.

China's official PMI seen hitting eight-month low

(Reuters) - China's factory activity likely expanded only slightly in February, a Reuters poll showed, dropping to an eight-month low that would indicate a modest slowdown is continuing.