Asia markets rise as China factory activity expands at fastest pace in nearly two years

A private survey showed China’s manufacturing activity expanded at its fastest pace in nearly two years, in contrast to an official reading.

The Caixin survey showed the headline seasonally adjusted manufacturing PMI rose to 51.7 in May from 51.4 the previous month, clocking its fastest pace since June 2022. It was also higher than a Reuters poll forecast of 51.5.

The private survey comes after official data on Friday showed China’s manufacturing sector unexpectedly contracted in May.

The Caixin survey also said sentiment among Chinese manufacturers remained positive in May amid hopes that market demand could improve both locally and abroad to support higher production this year.

— Shreyashi Sanyal

The U.S. along with other nations could take steps against Chinese companies and banks over Beijing’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, a top U.S. official said, according to Reuters.

“I think where we are primarily focused are on Chinese companies that have been involved in a systematic way in supporting Russia,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said, according to the report.

“We’ve also looked closely at financial institutions,” Campbell said.

Separately, Campbell met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Ma Zhaoxu, in Washington on May 30.

— Shreyashi Sanyal, Reuters

Goldman Sachs has recommended that investors consider a specific trading strategy when trading European markets right now given the “scope for near-term volatility in equities.”

This follows the recent market rally and is expected to prove effective “until inflation momentum turns more negative,” the investment bank’s analysts wrote.

Going forward, those searching for pockets of opportunities in the region and “looking to position somewhat defensively” can look to Goldman’s list of buy-rated stocks “offering higher relative risk-adjusted upside.”

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.

— Amala Balakrishner

Despite an interest rate cut expected this week, profits at a handful of major European banks will remain robust, according to Berenberg.

One of the lender’s stocks could rise by more than 40% over the next 12 months, according to the investment bank.

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.

— Ganesh Rao

Nvidia announced new AI chips on Sunday before its latest model has even shipped to customers.

The new chip model is called “Rubin.” Nvidia had announced its “Blackwell” chips in March. Huang said Sunday that Nvidia plans to release new AI chip models on a “one-year rhythm.”

Shares of Nvidia are up more than 120 year-to-date even as other deep-pocketed tech companies try to compete with the AI leader.

— Jesse Pound, Rebecca Picciotto

Here are some of the notable economic and corporate updates this week. All times ET:

Monday, June 3

10 a.m. Construction spending (April)

10 a.m. ISM manufacturing (May)

Tuesday, June 4

10 a.m. JOLTS job openings (April)

Earnings: Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Bath & Body Works

Wednesday, June 5

10 a.m. ISM services PMI (May)

Earnings: Campbell Soup, Dollar Tree

Thursday, June 6

8:30 a.m. Initial jobless claims

Earnings: J.M. Smucker Co.

Friday, June 7

8:30 a.m. May jobs report

— Jesse Pound, Sarah Min