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☆ Factories in developing Asia may have seen the worst of manufacturing slump
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Photographer: Linh Pham/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesMost developing economies in Asia might have left the worst of the broad manufacturing slowdown behind in 2023, according to a series of private surveys released Thursday. South Korea's S&P manufacturing purchasing managers' index recorded its first expansionary reading since June 2022 at 51.2 in January, up from 49.9 in December. "The health of the South Korean manufacturing sector registered a renewed improvement at the start of 2024. Growth was reportedly reflective of increased domestic and international orders, particularly for new products," Bhatti added. These private PMI surveys are typically seen as one of several leading indicators of economic activity in the respective economies.

Persons: Linh Pham, Usamah Bhatti, Bhatti, Annabel Fiddes Organizations: Wind Corp, Vung, Renewables, International Energy Agency, Bloomberg, Getty Images Bloomberg, Getty, P Global Market Intelligence, Vietnam, ASEAN, PMI, International Monetary Fund, IMF, " Companies Locations: Tan Thanh, Ba, Vung Tau Province, Vietnam, Asia, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand

☆ Japan's factory activity shrinks for 6th month on weak demand - PMI
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The au Jibun Bank flash Japan manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) slipped to 48.1 in November from 48.7 in October. "Demand conditions at private sector firms remained muted in November and were little-changed from October." The au Jibun Bank flash services PMI stood at 51.7 in November, little changed from 51.6 in October, showing modest expansion in the sector, but it was the second-weakest reading so far this year. Firms stayed confident about the business activity outlook for one year ahead, the survey said. The au Jibun Bank Flash Japan composite PMI, which combines both manufacturing and service sector activity, stood at 50.0 in November from 50.5 in October.

Persons: Toru Hanai, Usamah Bhatti, Kaori Kaneko, Kim COghill Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, P Global Market Intelligence, PMI, Firms, Jibun Bank Flash Japan, Thomson Locations: Kawasaki, Japan

☆ Japan's factory activity extends declines in September
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Japan's factory activity fell at the fastest pace in seven months in September, a survey showed on Monday, as worsening global economic conditions continued to weaken demand. Output in September was the lowest since June while the decline in new orders was the steepest since February, S&P Global Market Intelligence data showed. "Depressed economic conditions domestically and globally weighed heavily on the sector," said Usamah Bhatti, economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiled the survey. The yen has come under pressure in recent months, weighed by the Bank of Japan's ultra-loose monetary policy that has inflated the costs of imported goods and squeezed manufacturers. The pessimistic headline figure followed government data published last week that showed Japanese factory output remained flat in August.

Persons: Usamah Bhatti, Satoshi Sugiyama, Sam Holmes Organizations: Jibun Bank, P Global Market Intelligence, Bank of Japan's, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Jibun Bank Japan, China, Taiwan

☆ Japan's factory activity falls on soft orders - PMI
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Aug 1 - Japan's factory activity contracted at a faster pace in July, a business survey showed on Tuesday, taking a hit from soft orders amid weakening global economic conditions. Data on Monday showed Japan's factory output grew in June for the first time in two months thanks to solid auto production. Subindexes gauging new orders and output both stayed in the sub-50 territory in June for a second month. Japan has to date weathered worsening global economic conditions relatively well thanks to robust domestic service activity and ultra-loose monetary policy. On a brighter note, the S&P survey showed easing cost pressures for companies thanks to sliding fuel and commodity prices.

Persons: Usamah Bhatti, Bhatti, Sam Holmes Organizations: Jibun Bank, P Global Market Intelligence, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Jibun Bank Japan, Japan

☆ Japan's service activity maintains firm pace as demand picks up - PMI
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, July 5 (Reuters) - Japan's service activity maintained a brisk pace of growth in June as the relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions revived consumer demand, a private-sector survey showed on Wednesday. The final au Jibun Bank Japan Services purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to a seasonally adjusted 54.0 last month from a record-high 55.9 in May. That compared with the flash reading of 54.2 and remained well above the 50 threshold separating expansion from contraction for the 10th straight month. The composite PMI, which combines the manufacturing and services activity figures, slowed last month after peaking in May. The index dropped to 52.1 in June from 54.3 in May, staying above the break-even 50 mark for the sixth straight month.

Persons: Usamah Bhatti, Satoshi Sugiyama, Sam Holmes Organizations: Jibun Bank Japan Services, P Global Market Intelligence, Bank of Japan, PMI, Thomson Locations: TOKYO

☆ South Korea factory activity suffers longest downturn in at least 19 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It has remained below the 50-mark that separates expansion from contraction since July 2022, the longest such streak in the survey that began in April 2004. Output and new orders dropped by the most in eight months and six months, respectively, dragging the headline index lower. Asia's fourth largest economy posted slim growth in the first quarter and has struggled to motor on due to weak external demand. Output prices fell for a second month, as cost pressures eased, though there was also evidence that they were reduced in an effort to stimulate sales. Manufacturers' optimism for future output fell in June to the lowest level since December 2022, a sharp U-turn from hitting a 10-month high in May.

Persons: Usamah Bhatti, Bhatti, Jihoon Lee, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: South, Asia's, PMI, P Global Market Intelligence, Manufacturers, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Asia, Europe

☆ Japan factory activity slips back into contraction in June on soft orders
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, July 3 (Reuters) - Japan's factory activity contracted in June after expanding for the first time in 7 months in May, a private survey showed on Monday, dragged down by weak orders for cyclical goods amid a global economic slowdown. Output and new orders, the subindexes that constitute the majority of the headline index, fell back to contraction, ending a brief rebound buoyed by improved business confidence. New orders from overseas customers decreased at the fastest rate in four months, notably reflecting feeble demand from China, Japan's biggest trade partner. The soft PMI reading came after Friday's government data showed Japanese manufacturing output falling more than expected in May, dented by automakers' parts shortage and production cuts. The rise in input and output prices were the slowest in 28 months and 21 months, respectively.

Persons: Usamah Bhatti, Kantaro, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Jibun Bank, P Global Market Intelligence, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Jibun Bank Japan, China, dented, Japan

☆ Japan's service activity expands at record pace in May
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, June 5 (Reuters) - Japan's service sector activity expanded at a record pace in May, a private-sector survey showed on Monday, thanks to a recovery in overseas demand and a surge of foreign tourists as pandemic restrictions were eased further. "The upward trend looks set to continue in the near and medium term," as outstanding business expanded at a record rate and business optimism held near an all-time high. The subindex measuring outstanding business rose at the fastest pace on record as disruptions caused by the pandemic continued to wane. Business expectations for the coming year remained robust, though the pace of increase slowed slightly from April, the survey showed. The composite PMI, which combines the manufacturing and services activity figures, expanded at the fastest pace since October 2013.

Persons: Usamah Bhatti, Kaori Kaneko, Kim Coghill Organizations: Jibun Bank Japan Services, P Global Market Intelligence, Service, PMI, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan

☆ S.Korea factory activity shrinks in April, marks longest downturn in 6 years - PMI
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

However, it remained below the 50-mark that separates expansion from contraction for the 10th straight month in a row, the longest such streak since May 2017. "April PMI data provided further evidence that South Korean manufacturing firms continued to struggle in the face of the current global economic weakness," said economist Usamah Bhatti at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Sub-indexes showed output shrank for a 12th month, but at the joint-softest pace in the streak. New orders fell for a 10th month, with the pace also easing from the previous month. New export orders fell for a 14th month, at a pace only slightly milder than the month before.

☆ Japan's factory activity contracts at slower pace in April
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, May 1 (Reuters) - Japan's factory activity contracted for the sixth straight month in April, but the details of a private survey released on Monday showed the manufacturing sector was edging towards stabilisation amid a slower decline in new orders. New orders contracted at the softest pace since July while remaining below the 50.0 threshold for a tenth consecutive month as inbound demand stabilised moderately. Factory output also contracted for a tenth consecutive month, with some manufacturers citing that raw materials shortages had weighed on production. Input price inflation eased to its slowest pace since August 2021, although prices were still relatively high to due rising costs for raw materials. Employment grew at the strongest pace since October, while business confidence remained robust and little changed from March.

☆ Japan's March service-sector grows at fastest rate in over nine years - PMI
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

April 5 (Reuters) - Japan's services sector activity at the fastest pace in over nine years in March, a private sector survey showed on Wednesday, suggesting that the post-COVID bounce was gathering steam and providing some offset to a still-weak factory sector. The final au Jibun Bank Japan Services purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to a seasonally adjusted 55.0 last month, from February's 54.0, marking the quickest rate of expansion since October 2013. The subindexes of new orders and overseas demand grew for a seventh month, rising at the fastest pace since February 2019 and December 2022, respectively. The subindex for employment expanded for a second month and at the fastest pace in ten months, as workloads and business expansion plans increased. The composite PMI, which combines the manufacturing and services figures, grew at the fastest pace since June 2022.

☆ Japan factory activity shrinks the most in 2-1/2 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, March 1 (Reuters) - Japan's factory activity shrank in February at the fastest pace in over two years, a private survey showed, highlighting companies' struggles amid a global economic slowdown, raw material inflation and policymakers' calls for higher wages. The final au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index released on Wednesday fell to 47.7 in February from January's 48.9. Manufacturing output and new orders contracted for an eighth consecutive month and at the fastest rates in 31 months, the survey showed. On the brighter side, supplier delivery delays were the least prevalent in two years, the survey showed. The Bank of Japan remains an outlier in the current global monetary tightening phase, committing to maintaining ultra-low rates to shore up its COVID-ravaged economy.

☆ Asia's factory activity contracts despite China's COVID reopening
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

China's factory activity shrank more slowly in January after Beijing lifted tough COVID curbs late last year, a private sector survey showed. The data was contrasted with a better-than-expected official PMI survey issued on Tuesday. South Korea's factory activity contracted for a seventh straight month in January. Factory activity expanded in January in Indonesia and the Philippines but shrank in Malaysia and Taiwan, PMI surveys showed. The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday slightly raised its 2023 global growth outlook on "surprisingly resilient" demand in the United States and Europe and the reopening of China's economy after Beijing abandoned its strict pandemic controls.

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