Factory activity last month in Japan and South Korea expanded thanks to solid demand at home and abroad, purchasing manager indices (PMI) showed, offering relief to policymakers facing pressure to accelerate a patchy recovery. People work on a wire harness production line at a factory in Huaibei, China, on March 9. China’s factory activity expanded at the slowest pace in almost a year, although underlying economic conditions remained positive. The Caixin/Markit Manufacturing PMI, which focuses on smaller firms, last month dropped to 50.6 from February’s 50.9, missing market expectations. “All the uncertainty really rests with the economies they’re exporting to,” ING Groep NV chief Asia Pacific economist Rob Carnell said.

Source: Taipei Times April 01, 2021 15:56 UTC