China manufacturing index falls to more than 3-year low

Chinese manufacturing activity contracted at its fastest rate for more than three years in November, official data showed Tuesday, underlining weakness in the world's second-largest economy. China is a key driver of global growth and investors closely watch the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) -- which tracks activity in the factories and workshops sector -- as a barometer of the country's economic health. The government statistics bureau said the PMI fell to 49.6 in November - a reading above 50 signals expanding activity while anything below...