Mount Fuji, Japan

Japan PMI March 2018

Japan: Manufacturing PMI declines in March but remains in expansionary territory

The Nikkei flash manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) declined to 53.2 in March from February’s revised 54.1 (previously recorded: 54.0). Therefore, the index remains comfortably above the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction in the manufacturing sector.

March’s overall moderation resulted from weaker growth in output, new orders and employment. Suppliers also became slower to execute the delivery of orders. Meanwhile, stocks of finished goods decreased in March.

Reflecting on manufacturing operating conditions in March, particularly regarding price developments, Joe Hayes, Economist at IHS Markit, said: “With new business increasing for an eighteenth straight month, firms raised output prices to a quicker extent, signaling confidence in the demand climate and purchasing power of their clients. Despite two months of weaker headline PMI readings, the 2018 Q1 average still signals a robust operating environment.”

Japan Industrial Production Forecast

Free sample report

Access essential information in the shortest time possible. FocusEconomics provide hundreds of consensus forecast reports from the most reputable economic research authorities in the world.
Close Left Media Arrows Left Media Circles Right Media Arrows Right Media Circles Arrow Quote Wave Address Email Telephone Man in front of screen with line chart Document with bar chart and magnifying glass Application window with bar chart Target with arrow Line Chart Stopwatch Globe with arrows Document with bar chart in front of screen Bar chart with magnifying glass and dollar sign Lightbulb Document with bookmark Laptop with download icon Calendar Icon Nav Menu Arrow Arrow Right Long Icon Arrow Right Icon Chevron Right Icon Chevron Left Icon Briefcase Icon Linkedin In Icon Full Linkedin Icon Filter Facebook Linkedin Twitter Pinterest