Japan's manufacturing sector contracted at a slower pace in August, with the S&P Global Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to 49.7 from 48.9 but remaining below the 50.0 expansion threshold, as per an S&P Global's latest report. Survey data indicated that while consumer and investment goods manufacturers saw gains, declining conditions at intermediate goods producers led to an overall decrease in manufacturing output for the second consecutive month. "The latest PMI data signalled that manufacturing conditions in Japan moved closer to stabilisation in August, helped by a softer fall in output." Annabel Fiddes, Economics Associate Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence said. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Download