The activity in Japan's services sector observed an increase in March compared to the previous month, with the Jibun Bank Japan Services Business Activity Index landing at 54.9, compared to the previous month's figure of 52.9, S&P Global said in its preliminary report.
Meanwhile, the Manufacturing PMI rose from 47.2 in February to 48.2 in March. The composite PMI, which takes into account the results achieved in the two aforementioned sectors, increased from last month's 50.6 to 52.3.
"Activity at Japanese private sector firms gained renewed momentum at the end of the first quarter of 2024, according to Match flash PMI data. The latest reading marked the third consecutive expansion in activity levels, and one that was strongest since last August," Economist at S&P Global Usamah Bhatti said in the report.