Financial News: Japan Private Sector Growth Softens

Japan Private Sector Growth Softens

03/24/2026 - 02:40:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - Japan's private sector growth cooled in March as growth trajectories slowed across manufacturing and service sectors, flash survey results from S&P Global showed Tuesday.

The flash composite output index fell to 52.5 in March from a 33-month high of 53.9 in February.

The index has remained in the growth territory in each month for the past year but the latest score was the lowest since December.

Both the manufacturing and service sector activity increased at softer rates in March. The services Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 52.8 from 53.8 in the previous month. The factory PMI posted 51.4 in March, down from 53.0 in February.

The slowdown coincides with the recent outbreak of the war in the Middle East, which contributed to a sharp rise in input costs, S&P Global Market Intelligence Economics Associate Director Annabel Fiddes said.

Japanese firms registered weaker increases in new orders and employment, while confidence around the year-ahead slipped to the lowest for nearly a year amid concerns around the war in the Middle East.

Input prices increased the most in eleven months in March. Despite stronger cost pressures, composite output charges increased at the softest rate in three months.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

U.S. Small Business Confidence Unexpectedly Drops Amid Rising Cost Concerns (16 min(s), 02 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Small business morale in the U.S. sunk in March as the conflict in the Middle East led ...Full Story»

U.S. Small Business Confidence Unexpectedly Drops Amid Rising Cost Concerns (19 min(s), 02 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Small business morale in the U.S. sunk in March as the conflict in the Middle East led ...Full Story»

U.S. Producer Prices Increase 0.5% In March, Much Less Than Expected (04 hr(s), 16 min(s), 02 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - A report released by the Labor Department on Tuesday showed producer prices in the U.S ...Full Story»

CORRECTION: U.S. Producer Prices Increase Much Less Than Expected In March (05 hr(s), 45 min(s), 02 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - (Correction: The original article compared the data to incorrect economist estimates. ...Full Story»

U.S. Producer Prices Increase In Line With Estimates In March (05 hr(s), 54 min(s), 02 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - A report released by the Labor Department on Tuesday showed producer prices in the U.S ...Full Story»

Spain Inflation Strongest Since Mid 2024 (06 hr(s), 26 min(s), 02 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Spain's inflation accelerated at the fastest pace since mid-2024 in March, final d ...Full Story»

Bulgaria Inflation Revised Higher In March (06 hr(s), 32 min(s), 02 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Bulgaria's consumer price inflation increased more than initially estimated in Mar ...Full Story»

Romania Inflation Rises To 6-month High (07 hr(s), 44 min(s), 02 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Romania's consumer price inflation accelerated in March to the highest level in si ...Full Story»