Strong recovery for Japanese manufacturing activity, which moves above the threshold of 50 points that separates growth from contraction. The index has been at its highest for over 2 years.


The PMI Jibun Bank indicator, compiled by Markit, in fact rose to 51.4 points in February from 49.8 points in January , even exceeding the 50.6 points of the preliminary reading.

IHS Markit points out a modest increase in production and new orders, while input prices have increased at the fastest pace in two years.