Latest news with #Harker
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Canada's services PMI rises to eight-month high in July as business confidence improves
TORONTO (Reuters) -The downturn in Canada's services economy eased in July as the pace of decline in new business activity slowed and firms grew more optimistic about the outlook for activity, S&P Global's Canada services PMI data showed on Wednesday. The headline Business Activity Index rose to 49.3 last month from 44.3 in June. That marked the highest level since November but still indicated a deterioration in activity. A reading below 50 shows contraction in the sector. 'The latest S&P Global Canada Services PMI provides reasons for hope that the challenging period faced by companies may be easing off," Andrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said in a statement. The U.S. has increased tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% from 25%, but products covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement are exempt from duties. About 90% of Canadian exports to the U.S. in May were exempt under that trade agreement. The new business index rose to 48.7 last month from 46.6 in June, while the measure of future activity was at 60.9, up from 54.9, amid hopes for more stable market conditions. Some firms expected next year's FIFA World Cup soccer tournament to provide a boost. 'A jump in business confidence and another month of hiring suggests that firms may be gearing up for a return to growth in the near future, something which is sorely needed given the difficulties faced by companies over the first half of the year,' Harker said. The S&P Global Canada Composite PMI Output Index rose to 48.7 last month from 44.0 in June, posting its highest level since January. Data on Friday showed that Canada's manufacturing sector contracted for a sixth straight month in July. The S&P Global Canada Manufacturing PMI edged up to 46.1 in July from 45.6 in June. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait PMI rises to 53.5 in July, signaling an improved business environment
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for Kuwait rose to 53.5 in July, up from 53.1 in June, marking a notable improvement in the non-oil private sector's performance. This increase reflects strengthened business conditions and continued expansion for the 11th consecutive month, according to the latest data released by S&P Global Ratings on Tuesday. The PMI, a composite indicator tracking the performance of Kuwait's non-oil private sector, showed that the sector has remained firmly in growth territory throughout July. The improvement was driven by a sharp acceleration in new orders, which helped extend the expansion period that began in February 2023. The key driver of the recent PMI increase was a significant rise in new orders, signaling that demand for goods and services continues to grow. Despite the surge in new orders, employment levels remained steady, following a record high in the previous month. This stability in workforce numbers was largely attributed to companies' cautious approach to hiring, with some firms reluctant to take on additional staff due to cost concerns and efforts to complete ongoing projects on time. While new export orders saw growth, the pace of expansion slowed to a three-month low, with businesses attributing the increase to advertising efforts and price discounts. Inflationary pressures showed signs of easing at the beginning of the third quarter, which was welcomed by businesses. However, the increase in new orders led to a resurgence in backlogs, as companies struggled to meet demand while maintaining stable staffing levels. Despite the rise in backlogs, the pace of increase remained modest and the weakest observed since January. In response to heightened competition, many firms were forced to implement price cuts to secure new orders. These efforts helped to contain input costs and limit the extent to which higher costs were passed on to customers. Looking ahead, companies remained optimistic about future business prospects, with many expecting production to increase over the next year. However, confidence levels in the near term dipped to a three-month low, primarily due to the slow pace of hiring. Firms are focusing on diverse marketing strategies, including the use of digital channels, to maintain their competitive edge and support long-term growth. Andrew Harker, Director of Economics at S&P Global, commented on the survey results, stating that Kuwait's non-oil private sector began the second half of 2025 similarly to how it finished the first half, with strong growth in output and new orders. He highlighted that while employment remained largely unchanged, the sector's continued expansion is promising for future business growth. Harker also noted that companies were relieved by the easing of inflationary pressures but pointed out that hesitation to hire had led to an increase in backlogs of work. He expressed optimism that the ongoing growth in new business would eventually lead to a renewed hiring trend. The July PMI results for Kuwait's non-oil private sector reflect a period of sustained growth, driven by an increase in new orders and overall business activity. While inflationary pressures have eased, challenges remain in terms of staffing and managing backlogs. Looking forward, there is cautious optimism that the sector will continue to expand, with increased hiring expected in the coming months.
Fibre2Fashion
5 days ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Vietnam manufacturing grows despite US tariff-hit exports: S&P Global
Vietnam's manufacturing sector returned to growth in July, buoyed by a rebound in domestic demand, even as export weakness persisted due to US-imposed tariffs. The S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose sharply to 52.4 in July from 48.9 in June, moving back above the neutral 50 threshold for the first time in four months and marking the strongest improvement in business conditions in nearly a year. The upturn was driven by renewed growth in new orders, which expanded at the fastest rate since November last year. Companies linked the rise in new business to improving customer demand, though they noted that US tariffs continued to weigh heavily on exports. Overseas orders contracted for a ninth consecutive month. "July PMI data suggested that the Vietnamese manufacturing sector is getting back on its feet following the disruption caused to operations by the US tariff announcements in recent months. Although tariffs continued to cause reductions in new export orders, firms were able to secure enough business elsewhere that total new orders returned to growth,' said Andrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Stronger domestic demand supported a marked increase in output, which rose for the third straight month and at the quickest pace in 11 months. This production growth spurred a rebound in purchasing activity, which expanded at its fastest rate since August 2024, S&P Global said in a press release. However, firms continued to report difficulties sourcing raw materials, especially from overseas suppliers, leading to supplier delivery delays and further depletion of input inventories. Although input buying rose, stocks of purchases declined once again, though the pace of depletion was the slowest since December 2023. "A key feature of the latest survey was the impact of difficulties sourcing raw materials. Firms linked this to widespread supplier delivery delays, declining stocks of purchases and building cost pressures. If material supplies continue to cause issues in the months ahead then we may see limits to the growth rates that can be achieved by the sector," Harker added. Employment levels neared stabilisation, as manufacturers responded to higher production needs. Although staffing continued to decline due to existing spare capacity, the rate of job losses was the weakest in nine months. Backlogs of work fell again, extending the current depletion trend to seven months, albeit at the slowest rate during that period. Input costs rose for the second consecutive month, with the latest increase the steepest seen so far in 2025. Material shortages and rising import costs contributed to the rise in input prices, which in turn prompted manufacturers to raise output charges. Selling prices increased at the fastest pace in seven months, though the rate of inflation remained modest overall. Business sentiment dipped to a three-month low in July and stayed below the series average. While firms remained hopeful for output growth in the year ahead—citing expectations for more stable economic conditions, new product introductions and recovering demand—concerns around the prolonged impact of US tariffs continued to dampen overall confidence. Vietnam's manufacturing sector returned to growth in July as the PMI rose to 52.4, driven by a rebound in domestic demand. New orders expanded despite US tariffs hurting exports for a ninth month. Output and purchasing grew sharply, job cuts eased, and input costs surged due to raw material shortages. However, sentiment dipped to a three-month low amid ongoing trade concerns. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Axios
28-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Oakland Cemetery's columbarium could be your true forever home
For the first time in roughly 140 years, the public has an opportunity to secure a space in Atlanta's most exclusive spot to spend eternity. Driving the news: The nonprofit that oversees Oakland Cemetery, the final resting place for famous Atlantans that's also a city park, is moving forward with plans to build a columbarium (pronounced kuh-luhm-br-ee-uhm). Why it matters: The columbarium — essentially a mausoleum for urns containing people's cremains — opens end-of-life access to a new generation of Atlantans who love the 48-acre cemetery. The sales of the spaces will help create sustainable funding to maintain the grounds and preserve headstones of people whose loved ones and family members no longer care for the plots. Catch up quick: Founded in 1850, Oakland was the city of Atlanta's first municipal cemetery. Within 30 years, all the cemetery's burial spots had been sold, Richard Harker, the president and CEO of the Historic Oakland Foundation, told Axios. Since then, people wanting to purchase burial plots had to turn to private sales, sometimes from families who owned the coveted spots for decades. Harker said the cemetery conducted a feasibility study about adding a columbarium in 2008. Zoom in: The 250-space columbarium will be located on an abandoned roadway next to the recently restored Women's Comfort Station and African American burial grounds. The spaces will accommodate one to as many as four urns in various sizes. They will include eight "family estates" that can fit eight urns, Harker said. Pricing will be finalized in the next two to four weeks, he said. Solo spaces on the lower level could start around $6,000. The big picture: If the project is successful, Harker said, the foundation could build a few additional columbaria. Yes, but: Harker said the foundation intends to honor community members' and city officials' stated desires to ensure the columbarium blends seamlessly into the cemetery's landscape and history. What they're saying:"You don't want to overwhelm the historic fabric of the cemetery by building units that are massively high or massively overbearing," he said. "So that's part of our thought process: How do we do this sensitively to the historic cemetery, while also offering folk that new opportunity?" Fun fact: Famous residents include former mayors (Maynard Jackson), athletes (golf legend Bobby Jones) and celebrities ("Gone With the Wind" author Margaret Mitchell and country singer Kenny Rogers.) The intrigue: Oakland was founded without an endowment and is not a perpetual care cemetery, meaning the foundation must find funding to care for the grounds and buildings and launch capital campaigns.
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Cannibal killer horror letter to victim's partner from his prison cell
David Harker, who killed mother-of-four Julie Paterson in 1998 and then ate part of her body with cheese and pasta, has had his latest plea for freedom rejected A cannibal killer, serving a life sentence for the manslaughter of a mother-of-four from Darlington, continues to have his appeals for freedom rejected. David Harker, who refuses to reveal to authorities where he disposed of Julie Paterson's body, has had his release turned down multiple times under Helen's Law, which was brought in during 2021. The legislation was created to make parole harder for murderers who won't reveal where their victim's remains are located. Helen's Law was introduced following Marie McCourt's relentless campaigning after her daughter Helen's death, resulting in amendments to the Parole Board's guidelines for judges handling manslaughter and murder cases where the victim's body remains missing. Harker is serving a minimum sentence of 14 years after admitting manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility when 32 year old Julie vanished from her Darlington home in 1998, according to The Mirror, reports the Express. The killer bragged about eating Julie's body with cheese and pasta. Whilst her torso was discovered in a bag found in a Darlington garden, Harker has declined to reveal what he did with the remaining body parts for more than two decades. Julie was a vulnerable individual struggling with depression when she first encountered Harker, just five weeks before her death. Harker enticed Julie back to his flat in the town's Harewood Grove after the pair had been drinking in a local park. He subsequently confessed he attacked her because he was "bored," strangling Julie to death. Harker has remained behind bars for an additional 12 years beyond his initial 14-year minimum sentence due to regular Parole Board reviews denying his release. Sporting tattoos of the words "sub-human" and "disorder" on his head, Harker chillingly told psychiatrists: "People like me don't come from those films, them films come from people like me." A psychiatrist's report presented in court labelled Harker as "evil" and beyond the help of hospital treatment. The murderer has consistently refused to disclose the whereabouts of Julie Paterson's head, legs, and arms. Instead, he penned a cruel letter to Miss Paterson's former partner and father of her two children, Freddie Newman, from his cell. In this letter, Harker mocked Freddie, who had desperately implored him to reveal the location of the rest of Miss Paterson's remains. Harker wrote: "It's always good to know that people are thinking of me, especially those who suffer because of my actions. "You are correct when you speak of decency, I have none. I have no inhibitions, remorse or regret, and therefore care not one bit if your wife has a full body burial or not. "I hope you are happy in the knowledge that you don't suffer alone in your loss. Your wife was not the first or the last person I killed."
