Japan's manufacturing sector contracted in October at the fastest pace in 19 months due to a sharper decline in new orders, a private-sector survey showed on Friday. The S&P Global flash Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 48.3 in October from a final reading of 48.5 in September, hitting the lowest since March 2024. It has remained below the 50.0 threshold that separates growth from contraction for four straight months. Among the sub-indexes, the decrease in factory output slowed from September, but new orders shrank at a faster rate, highlighting sluggish demand for manufacturers. ... (full story)