TOKYO -- The Nikkei ASEAN Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, or PMI, rose to 50.9 in March from 50.3 in February. All ASEAN economies except Malaysia recorded growth across their manufacturing sectors.
A reading above 50 indicates economic expansion, while a reading below 50 points toward contraction. The latest reading recorded the above-50 level for the second consecutive month, according to IHS Markit, which compiles the survey.
