Japan business activity index dips to 51.0 in August

But store openings and marketing kept sales up.

Japan's services business activity index dipped from 51.6 in August to 51.0 in September.

According to IHS Markit, manufacturing output rose solidly in September, reaching a four-month high.

The Nikkei Composite Output Index still dipped to 51.7 in September, down from 51.9 in August.

Whilst there was an increase in new work, it was the least marked since November 2016.

New store openings and marketing activities kept sales up in September.

New order growth also reached a four-month high.

Japanese services companies proved to be more generous as they continued to their payrolls despite weaker growth in activity. Meanwhile, jobs growth remained moderate.