SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean exports slumped more than expected in June, extending the double-digit contraction into a third month, as the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown measures continued to dent global demand.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s factory activity grew at a faster clip in June after the government lifted coronavirus lockdown measures, but the health crisis continues to weigh on exports and jobs, a private business survey showed on Wednesday.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Asian stocks were set for a bumpy start to the second half of the year on Wednesday as optimism about a global economic recovery from the pandemic jousted with signs in the United States the health crisis may not yet be past its peak.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan’s factory activity shrank for a 14th straight month in June on sharp reductions in output and new orders, pointing to a heavy hit to demand from the coronavirus pandemic, a business survey showed on Wednesday.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar held onto gains against the yen on Wednesday ahead of data expected to show U.S. manufacturing activity and hiring continued to recover from the economic shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Wednesday after an industry report showed crude inventories in the United States fell much more than expected, suggesting demand is improving even as the coronavirus outbreak spreads around the world.