Asia's factories end 2025 on firmer footing as orders pick up

Group 1 - Asia's factory powerhouses ended 2025 on a stronger note, with several key economies experiencing a return to growth in manufacturing activity due to increased export orders and new product launches [1][2] - Taiwan's manufacturing PMI rose to 50.9 in December from 48.8 in November, marking the first growth above the 50-point threshold in 10 months, indicating improved production and new business [3] - South Korea's PMI increased to 50.1 from 49.4, representing the first expansion since September, with significant growth in new orders attributed to the booming semiconductor market driven by artificial intelligence [4] Group 2 - Manufacturers in Taiwan and South Korea reported improved sales driven by new product launches and better external demand, with confidence in the economic outlook reaching its highest level since May 2022 [5] - Overall, most Southeast Asian nations maintained robust growth in factory activity, although Indonesia and Vietnam experienced slight slowdowns [5] - Singapore's economic growth for 2025 was reported at 4.8%, an increase from 4.4% in 2024, indicating a positive trend in the region's economic performance [6]