Japan Manufacturing PMI Surges to 54.9 as Services, Composite Slant Lower

Latest S&P Global data confirms Japan Manufacturing PMI at 54.9 in April, beating expectations of 51.2 and marking the fastest pace since January 2022 with output at a 12-year high of 55.4. However, Services PMI cooled to 51.2 from 53.4, dragging the Composite to a four-month low of 52.4 amid record output prices and business confidence at its weakest since August 2020. Initial flash reports highlighted the manufacturing-services divergence, with updates emphasizing inflation risks and mixed signals that could fuel volatility in Japan 225 equities.