Japan's manufacturing mostly production up at end of Q2

The Japanese manufacturing production increased "marginally" at the end of the April-June period, the data provider S&P Global revealed on Monday.

The production was supported by sustained job creation, the clearing of backlogs, and stock-building efforts, a press release read.

It added: "Moreover, business sentiment improved to its best in 2024 so far.

"Demand conditions remained subdued as evidenced by further contractions in total new orders and international sales. Concurrently price pressures intensified."

The Purchasing Managers' Index for the manufacturing sector of the country posted no change in June, it noted.

S&P Global said the country's factory output expanded for the first time in over a year during June, albeit marginally.

Overall, new orders fell for the thirteenth successive month in June, but the pace of reduction was only slight, it added.