Stocks in China were lower ahead of official manufacturing data due out this weekend.
The Asia rally followed stronger manufacturing data from the U.K., European Union and U.S. on Wednesday.
Shares fell on Monday on weak manufacturing data and political concerns in France and the Netherlands.
There was weaker-than-expected manufacturing data coming out of China Tuesday that was bearish for the precious metals.
Silver prices sank further into bear-market territory, and weak global manufacturing data stoked fears of more falls.
Since then, key indicators like employment, manufacturing data and consumer sentiment have continued on a downward trajectory.
The market place got a mildly bearish read on fresh manufacturing data coming out of China Friday.
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Stocks in China were lower as the market remained cautious ahead of official manufacturing data out this weekend.
Chinese markets bucked the regional declines, rising ahead of Thursday's release of China's preliminary manufacturing data for March.
European stock markets traded firmer overnight, supported by some upbeat manufacturing data coming out of the European Union.
On Thursday, there will be key manufacturing data out of China released, which will also garner close market attention.
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The weak China manufacturing data and the yen's rebound hit exporters in Tokyo.
In the U.S this week housing and manufacturing data will take center stage.
In Europe, there was some better-than-expected euro zone manufacturing data issued Monday, which helped to lift European stock markets.
However, there was more weak manufacturing data coming out of the EU Friday.
The number complemented negative manufacturing data from Europe and Asia that led to negative sentiment across the Old Continent.
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Negatives to the report included a drop in the manufacturing data, they said.
The manufacturing data out of China and Europe were all stronger than expected.
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Copper and oil prices were lower and mining stocks slumped, with the decline reinforced by disappointing manufacturing data from China.
Chinese manufacturing data for March showed a preliminary PMI reading of 51.7 versus the final reading of 50.4 in February.
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The blue-chip benchmark retreated in previous sessions amid weak job-market and manufacturing data, closing at a current-year low on Monday.
There was some slightly better news from China, as their manufacturing data suggested that their economy might have bottomed this month.
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The most recent indication that investors may have reason to seek safe haven emerged in the manufacturing data reports this week.
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The next major data point scheduled to come out in Asia is China's preliminary manufacturing data for March, out on Thursday.
Still the economic path of Europe does not offer anyone much hope that manufacturing data in March will book a substantial improvement.
The much-anticipated Chinese manufacturing data on Thursday came out better than expected.
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Focus of the market place now turns to the U.S. employment report due out Friday morning, and China manufacturing data due out Thursday.
There are a few U.S. economic reports on tap for next week, with housing data and manufacturing data, the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index.
Early signs of economic recovery in 2012 are appearing with muted analyst opinions in the transportation space, even as manufacturing data are showing improvement.
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In China, the Shanghai Composite Index climbed 2.7%, led by banks and developers, to a two-week high, ahead of Thursday's release of preliminary manufacturing data.
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