Japan - Nikkei Manufacturing PMI (final, February): 54.1

Japanese Manufacturing PMI survey for febr,February, the final - comes in at 54.1

• flash was 54.0 from January's 54.8.

The index continues in solid expansion, plenty of highlights (see the analysis from Markit below)

Commenting on the data, Joe Hayes, Economist at IHS Markit

• "The trend of building momentum in the Japanese manufacturing sector came to an end in the latest PMI survey period.
• Output growth slowed for the first time since July 2017, while both domestic and foreign demand rose to lesser extents.
• Nonetheless, sentiment in the sector remained upbeat, as firms hired additional staff at the quickest rate in 11 years amid expectations that the Japanese economy would continue along an expansionary path.
• The PMI Output Prices Index, despite falling, signalled a relatively sharp rate of inflation during February. A combination of supply-side pressures, particularly raw material shortages and prolonged delivery times, and strong demand supported firms to raise factory gate charges.
• That said, the marked year-to-date appreciation of the yen could provide downward cost pressures for manufacturers, opening the door for disinflation to creep in to consumer prices, particularly if demand pressures ease further."