Asian Factories Show Mixed Activity on War Strains: Supply Lines

The first full month of Asian factory data since the Iran war erupted showed a mixed picture of the economic fallout.

Manufacturing across much of Asia expanded in March, with activity improving in South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand, according to S&P Global data published Wednesday. The conflict appeared to weigh on activity in Vietnam, Indonesia and semiconductor hub Taiwan.

The March reports reflected the first full month of manufacturing PMI figures since the war on Iran began on Feb. 28 and subsequently escalated, disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route.

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