Asian Manufacturing PMIs Cool in October as South Korea Posts Sharpest Drop

S&P Global manufacturing PMI readings across Asia and Ireland for October showed broad softening, with South Korea registering the steepest decline. South Korea's PMI fell to 51.3 in October from 53.9 in September, a notable two-point-plus pullback though the reading remained in expansionary territory above 50.

Taiwan also retreated, with its October PMI coming in at 54.9 versus 56.7 in September, a drop of 1.8 points. Despite the slide, Taiwan held the strongest reading among the economies reported. Japan's final October manufacturing PMI held steady at 53.3, matching both the September reading and the earlier flash estimate, though one source noted it represented the lowest level since March 2026. Ireland's October PMI edged down slightly to 55.2 from 55.5 in September.