Japan's services activity falls at softer pace in March - Breaking The News

Japan's services activity falls at softer pace in March

5 April

1 min read

EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

Japan's service sector saw a softer contraction in business activity, with the figure dropping at the slowest pace in three months in March, according to a report released by the IHS Markit on Tuesday.

The seasonally adjusted figure showed the Jibun Bank Japan Services Business Activity Index landing at 49.4 to stand below the neutral 50, but above the figure of 44.2 seen in February.

"Overall private sector activity returned to growth territory for the first time since last December. A renewed rise in manufacturing output and growth in aggregate new orders contributed to the slight expansion," Economist at IHS Markit Usamah Bhatti said.

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