Asia's factory activity expanded steadily in May as firms stockpiled to buffer against supply shocks from the Middle East conflict, private surveys showed.
China's private sector gauge grew for a sixth straight month. South Korea hit the fastest pace in five years, highlighting a region-wide push to build buffers.
Japan's factory activity also expanded, with the sharpest rise in input costs since September 2022 due to higher raw material prices driven by the Iran war.
According to Bond.az, China's PMI fell to 51.8 in May from 52.2, but remained above the 50 threshold, signaling expansion.
South Korea's PMI rose to 54.8, the highest since March 2021, underlining firms' drive to lock in supplies amid shipping disruptions.
Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines also reported increases in factory activity.
