VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Heavy discounting failed to stop euro zone business activity growing less than thought last month, a survey showed on Wednesday, suggesting the bloc's economy may contract again early next year.

China's services sector grew slightly faster in November, two surveys showed on Wednesday, a welcome respite to a run of underwhelming data but still unlikely to allay concerns about the softening Chinese economy.

Growth in China's manufacturing sector slowed in November, suggesting the world's second-largest economy is still losing momentum and adding pressure on authorities to ramp up stimulus measures after unexpectedly cutting interest rates last month.

Factories across Asia and the euro zone reported a general loss of momentum last month that speaks volumes about the need for more policy stimulus on top of Japan's latest efforts to ignite growth.

The U.S. dollar touched seven-year peaks versus the yen on Monday as markets basked in the afterglow of the Bank of Japan's surprise stimulus push and looked forward to at least a hint of fresh action from European policy makers this week.

China's factory sector grew in October but at a pace that was slightly slower than expected, underlining the challenges facing the sector as manufacturers fight rising costs and softening demand in a cooling economy.

Asian shares sagged on Thursday after a retreat on Wall Street and falling crude oil prices rekindled investor anxiety over slowing global growth, while a mixed picture on Chinese manufacturing failed to impress markets.

Growth in China's services sector weakened slightly in September as new business cooled, a private survey showed on Wednesday, reinforcing signs of a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy that could prompt more stimulus measures.

Euro zone business grew at the slowest rate this year in September, reflecting falling demand in the region where new orders were the weakest in almost a year, surveys showed on Friday.

Stocks worldwide began the fourth quarter on a negative note on Wednesday, with investors wary of lackluster economic data and keeping a cautious eye on civil unrest in Hong Kong.

World markets were in hesitant mood on Tuesday as investors wondered what China's response would be to civil unrest in Hong Kong, while the U.S. dollar eased off the throttle after its biggest quarterly gain in six years.

China's vast factory sector showed signs of steadying in September as export orders climbed, a private survey showed on Tuesday, easing fears of a hard landing but pointing to a still-sluggish economy facing considerable risks.

Mexico-based state oil company Pemex will shell out $475 million to acquire and revamp a Veracruz-based fertilizer production plant in a deal that would allow the firm to supply 75% of Mexico's demand for urea.

The German private sector showed robust growth in August, according to Markit's PMI survey.

China's PMI showed growth in July, offering hope that the country's economy is recovering.