Asia's factories keep growing as the AI lift starts to cool

Reuters reported that private manufacturing surveys weakened in China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. China's private PMI remained above the expansion threshold at 52.0, while Japan and South Korea recorded their slowest growth in seven and eight months respectively.

Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia reported faster expansion. Economists said resilient chip demand is supporting the region, but higher fuel and food costs, weaker construction and intense price competition are creating a less even industrial recovery.