Global manufacturing ends 2013 on strong note

Helped in part by aggressive monetary policy, manufacturing ended 2013 on a high note as exporters like the US, Japan and Germany all saw demand pick up, although China's performance was modest - AFP Photo.

NEW YORK/LONDON/BEIJING: Global manufacturing ended 2013 on a strong note, as major exporters like the US, Japan and Germany all saw demand pick up, although China's performance remained modest, surveys showed on Thursday.

Years of loose monetary policy, along with soaring stock markets, appear to be bolstering economic confidence. That bodes well for a global economy that has struggled to shake off the effects of financial crisis and recession.