|

Nikkei Flash Japan Manufacturing PMI drops to 53.2 in March

The latest flash manufacturing PMI data from the Japanese economy, as published by the Nikkei, showed the weakest improvement in business conditions since October 2017.

Flash Japan Manufacturing PMI declines in March to 53.2, from 54.1 in February and against 54.3 expectations.

Key Points:

New orders increase, albeit to the weakest extent in five months.

Job creation eases amid joint-softest pace of output growth since July 2017.

Commenting on the Japanese Manufacturing PMI survey data, Joe Hayes, Economist at IHS Markit, which compiles the survey, said: “The headline PMI declined in March, signaling a weaker improvement in overall business conditions in the manufacturing sector. Output, new order and employment growth rates all slowed, while longer lead times continued to impact supply capacities. That 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.”

Author

Dhwani Mehta

Dhwani Mehta

FXStreet

Residing in Mumbai (India), Dhwani is a Senior Analyst and Manager of the Asian session at FXStreet. She has over 10 years of experience in analyzing and covering the global financial markets, with specialization in Forex and commodities markets.

More from Dhwani Mehta
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD struggles aroound 1.1800 as USD stabilizes

EUR/USD stays defensive around 1.1800 in the European session on Thursday. The US Dollar stabilizes, following the recent decline led by tariff uncertainty, capping the pair's upside. All eyes now remain on the US-Iran nuclear talks after ECB President Lagarde's testimony fails to impress Euro bulls. 

GBP/USD drops toward 1.3500 as USD finds fresh demand

GBP/USD falls back toward 1.3500 in the European session on Thursday, snapping its recovery momentum. The pair loses traction as the US Dollar finds fresh demand, as markets turn cautious ahead of the US-Iran nuclear talks. The US trade policy uncertainty also remains a drag on risk sentiment. 

Gold clings to gains amid sustained safe-haven flows ahead of US-Iran talks

Gold sticks to its modest intraday gains through the first half of the European session on Thursday, with bulls still awaiting a sustained move and acceptance above the $5,200 mark before placing fresh bets. 

Stellar: Relief bounce fades as bearish undertone persists

Stellar is trading around $0.16 at the time of writing on Thursday after rebounding more than 8% in the previous day. Derivatives data paints a negative picture as XLM’s short bets hit a monthly high while Open Interest continues to decline.

The one thing everyone is on the lookout for is US action of some sort against Iran

The FX market is minestrone soup these days. It is befuddled by conflicting data, rumors and small stories exaggerated out of proportion, and Trump-generated uncertainty. 

Solana strikes key resistance with double-digit gains

Solana trades at $88 at press time on Thursday, after an 11% upswing the previous day within a broader consolidation range of roughly three weeks. Institutional demand for Solana heightens as US spot SOL Exchange Traded Funds record $30 million of inflow on Wednesday.