Business
Manufacturers around the world enjoyed a solid start to the year as order books swelled, surveys showed on Monday, though a struggle for growth in China and a downturn in France took the shine off the overall picture. Euro zone factories had their best month since mid-2011 and, with unemployment near record highs, increased headcount for the first time in two years. They were led by a sharp pick-up in Germany and a revival among the states on the region's periphery.
Background
China, France drag on global manufacturing revival [Reuters]
U.K. Manufacturing Sector Growth Misses Expectations [WSJ]
US manufacturing expands, but at less brisk pace: Markit [CNBC]
