Nikkei Japan Manufacturing PMI

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

October survey data indicated that Japan’s goods producing sector began the final quarter of 2018 in growth territory, with the key measures of macroeconomic health (output, new orders and employment) all showing stronger rates of increase. New export sales also returned to growth following a recent soft patch in international demand. Prices data pointed to a sharper rate of input cost inflation, prompting firms to raise output prices to the greatest extent for ten years. Input delivery times were hampered by strong sales performances encouraging higher buying activity.

The headline Nikkei Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ IndexTM (PMI)®—a composite single-figure indicator of manufacturing performance—increased from 52.5 in September to 52.9 in October, therefore indicating a faster rate of improvement. Moreover, it was the strongest expansion since June, albeit only moderate overall.

Underpinning the latest improvement in business conditions was sharper output growth, following September’s 14-month low. According to panelists, production levels were supported by healthy inflows of new work. There were some reports that output was raised to cover for shortfalls resulting from adverse weather conditions in September.

Survey data pointed to robust demand conditions at Japanese manufacturers in October. Moreover, the rate of new order growth was relatively solid and quickened to a four-month high. Higher sales to new and existing clients in domestic and international markets, promotional work and new product launches all helped to drive the latest upturn. Data also indicated growth in demand from overseas clients for the first time since May.

Encouraged by order book volume growth, firms expanded staffing levels in October to boost operating capacities. The rate of job creation was solid and the strongest in six months. However, the level of incomplete work at Japanese manufacturers increased, despite greater employment. Delayed input deliveries and ongoing disruption from recent natural disasters weighed on capacity.

Amid reports from panellists of supply chain pressures, survey data indicated that average lead times for the delivery of inputs lengthened in October, extending the current period of deterioration to two-and-a-half years. While strong input demand was cited as one factor impacting vendor performance, logistical issues arising from the recent poor weather were also mentioned.

Firms were motivated to raise buying levels in October to accommodate for greater production requirements. Delayed input shipments and expectations of price increases encouraged manufacturers to stockpile some of these items, however. Input price inflation accelerated at the fastest pace since March 2011 amid higher metal and fuel costs. To offset profit margin erosion, output prices were increased at the fastest rate in ten years.

Looking ahead, the outlook towards output over the coming year was positive overall; however, the degree of optimism edged down to a 23-month low, with some firms projecting less supportive demand conditions.

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