TOKYO -- The majority of monitored sectors across Asia registered growth during the month of April, with industries like software and services as well as pharmaceutical and biotechnology recording sharp rise in growth, while machinery and equipment was the worst-performer.
The Nikkei Asia Sector Purchasing Managers' Index, or PMI, showed that out of the 19 monitored sectors, 4 registered contraction in April. Machinery and equipment had the biggest contraction at 46.2, registering below the 50 mark. It was the strongest decline in production for six and a half years.
