Japan Einkaufsmanagerindex Composite

The au Jibun Bank Japan Composite PMI was revised downward to 51.7 in March 2024 from a flash reading of 52.3. Still, the latest result pointed to the third consecutive month of growth in private sector activity and the strongest pace since late September after February's figure of 50.6, amid a solid expansion in the service sector while the decline in manufacturing production softened slightly. New orders accelerated to a seven-month peak, led by the service economy. In the meantime, the rate of job creation was the steepest since May 2023. Outstanding business rose marginally, with a strong increase at services firms partially being countered by a steep depletion at manufacturers. On the cost side, input prices expanded at a robust pace, and one that accelerated to the strongest in five months. To protect profit margins, businesses increased their selling prices at the most pronounced rate for seven months.