TOKYO, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Japan's factory output growth picked up in July due to a stronger expansion of output and new orders, as manufacturers benefited from a continuing recovery of the coronavirus pandemic-hit global economy.

SINGAPORE, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell by more than $1 on Monday on worries over China's economy after a survey showed growth in factory activity slipped sharply in the world's second-largest oil consumer, with concerns compounded by a rise in oil output from OPEC producers.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s factory activity growth slipped sharply in July as demand contracted for the first time in over a year in part on high product prices, a business survey showed on Monday, underscoring challenges facing the world’s manufacturing hub.

BEIJING, July 30 (Reuters) - China's factory activity likely expanded slightly less quickly in July, a Reuters poll showed on Friday, as the industrial sector's impressive recovery slowed on high raw material prices, government policies, seasonal rainfalls and rising COVID cases.

WASHINGTON, July 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. economy contracted at a record average annualized rate of 19.2% from its peak in the fourth quarter of 2019 through the second quarter of 2020, government data showed on Thursday, confirming that the COVID-19 recession was the worst ever.

SHANGHAI, July 30 (Reuters) - Asian shares slipped on Friday, with a gauge of regional equities set for its biggest monthly drop since the height of global pandemic lockdowns last March, while the dollar lagged near one-month lows on expectations of continued Fed stimulus.