Key Events Around the Globe: March 02

Japan’s Factory Activity Hits Near 4 Year High in February, PMI Shows

Japan’s manufacturing activity accelerated in February to its fastest pace in almost four years, as robust demand led to sharp increases in output, new orders and employment across the board, a private-sector survey showed on Monday. The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 53.0 in February, up from January’s 51.5,marking the biggest expansion since May 2022 and inching up from the flash reading of 52.8.

U.S. Construction Spending Increases In Line With Estimates In December

Long-delayed data released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed construction spending the U.S. saw a modest increase in December after dipping in November.

The Commerce Department said construction spending rose by 0.3 percent to an annual rate of $2.169 trillion in December after slipping by 0.2 percent to an annual rate of $2.163 trillion in November. The rebound matched economist estimates.

The increase in total construction spending in December came as growth in spending on private construction more than offset a decrease in spending on public construction.

U.S. Producer Prices Climb 0.5% In January, More Than Expected

The Labor Department released a report on Friday showing producer prices in the U.S. increased by more than expected in the month of January. The report said the Labor Department’s producer price index for final demand climbed by 0.5 percent in January after rising by a downwardly revised 0.4 percent in December. Economists had expected producer prices to rise by 0.3 percent compared to the 0.5 percent increase originally reported for the previous month.

Source: HSL Prime Daily, 02 March 2026