Summary
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. are among the banks predicting worldwide growth will be around 4 percent this year, which would be the fastest since a postrecession rebound seven years ago.
The monthly report showed both new orders and output were the best in 17 years as exports gained.
In China, the Caixin factory PMI rose to 51.5 in December from 50.8 in November, marking the best reading in four months.
Volkswagen AG's main passenger-car brand said last Friday that production reached a record high last year with global output of more than 6 million vehicles, while Philippe Buros, Renault SA head of sales for France, told BFM Business radio Tuesday that French orders are up too.
Still, the global economy is forecast to expand 3.7 percent this year, slightly faster than the 3.6 percent pace estimated for 2017, according to the International Monetary Fund's most recent projections. The euro area will cool slightly from 2.3 percent this year, but still record growth above 2 percent.
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