South Korea’s trade data in December show early monthly exports may decline less than double-digits for the first time since May, in another sign the global manufacturing slump is bottoming. Exports during the first 20 days of the month fell 2% from a year earlier. Shipments to China rose 5.3%, on a path for the …

Summary The December Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey indicated essentially flat growth in the region’s manufacturing sector this month. Although they all remained positive, the indicators for general activity and employment declined, while the indicators for new orders and shipments edged higher. The survey’s future indexes indicate that respondents continue to expect growth over the next six months. …

The Atlanta Fed lifted its Q4 GDP growth forecast this week to 2.3 percent buoyed by better than expected fixed investment — residential construction, in particular — consumer spending, and higher inventories.