Manufacturing Output Index Rises in April

According to a recent report by S&P Global, the Japanese au Jibun Bank Flash Manufacturing Output Index has seen an increase to 48.9 in April, up from 46.6 in March. This marks a notable improvement, although the index still lingers below the neutral 50 threshold, indicating a continued, albeit slower, decline in production.

Challenges in New Orders and Foreign Demand

Annabel Fiddes, Economics Associate Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, highlights the challenges faced by factories. "New orders have declined at the steepest rate in over a year," Fiddes notes, attributing this to a stronger deterioration in foreign demand, subdued client spending, and concerns over tariffs.