Europe has suffered the sharpest turnaround, and there is little relief in sight, according to a June survey of purchasing managers conducted by data firm IHS Markit that was released Friday. The Purchasing Managers Index for the manufacturing sector rose to 47.8 from 47.7 in May, but a reading below 50.0 points still points to a decline in activity. Readings for the three months of the second quarter point to the sharpest fall in activity for six years. More on the Economy A similar survey of Japanese manufacturers also published Friday found that activity was at its weakest in three years, while a decline in new orders suggested a significant pickup is unlikely over coming months. Economists are divided on whether the factory slowdown is largely a consequence of disruptions to trade and investment as a result of higher tariffs and uncertainty about where they will settle, or a […]