The Nikkei Japan Manufacturing PMI climbed to 50.2 in May 2019 from 49.2 in the previous month, the final figure showed. The headline expanded for the first time in four months, as both output and new orders decreased at softer rates, still affected by both domestic and foreign demand. In contrast, employment expanded and gained steam. On the price front, inflation was the weakest since August 2017, with respondents attributing the rise to greater expenses for fuel, labour, construction materials and metals. Looking forward, the outlook towards output improved, with business confidence climbing to a five-month high.
