Eurozone business growth was weaker than expected this month and factory activity in Asia’s top two economies remained stuck in low gear, putting the onus squarely on the US to drive a pick-up in global growth.

US producer prices fell in February for a fourth straight month, pointing to tame inflation that could argue against an anticipated June interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve.

Manufacturing growth across Asia, Europe and the Americas eased in November as heavy price cutting failed to revive demand, surveys showed yesterday, providing more evidence that a feeble global economic recovery may be grinding to a halt.

The US economy grow at a much faster pace than initially thought in the third quarter, pointing to strengthening fundamentals that should help it weather slowing global demand.

Demand for US-made capital goods recorded its biggest drop in eight months in September, a cautionary note for an economy that otherwise seems to be moving forward at a steady clip.

US retail sales unexpectedly stalled in July, pointing to some loss of momentum in the economy early in the third quarter.

US private-sector employers shrugged off a looming budget crisis and stepped up hiring in December, offering further evidence of underlying strength in the economy as 2012 ended.

UNEXPECTEDLY weak US job numbers for August yesterday reinforced fears of recession, driving investors out of stocks and into the safety of bonds, gold and the Swiss franc. World stocks fell nearly 2 percent after the US Labour Department said employers added no new jobs in August and July’s figure was revised lower.