China's manufacturing activity increased in July

China's manufacturing output jumped to a five-month high of 49.5 in July from 48.2 in the previous month. A final reading below 50 signals contraction, proving that world's second biggest economy is still under pressure. Asian stocks were little changed today. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.1 per cent and the MSCI Asia Pacific Index was little changed from the previous day. The Yuan fluctuated at 6.3857 per dollar.