Latest S&P Global Flash PMI® data signalled a stronger expansion in private sector output at the start of the second half of 2026. Overall activity rose at the fastest pace since February, led by the steepest increase in manufacturing production since February 2014. Services activity growth slowed slightly on the month. Overall employment rose at a broadly unchanged rate from June, while confidence in the outlook softened. On the price front, input costs increased markedly again in July, though the rate of inflation eased to a three-month low. At 53.1 in July, the headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global Flash Japan ... (full story)