Asia Auto Sector Surges to Top Spot as Growth Spreads Across Industries in April

Asia’s business activity has steadily improved in recent months, and April 2026 data shows this momentum strengthening across most sectors. Output expanded in 16 of the 18 monitored industries, up from 15 in March, with Metals & Mining returning to growth. For the first time in nearly two years, Automobiles & Auto Parts led all sectors, recording its fastest expansion since May 2024. Consumer Goods also stood out, supported by strong gains in Beverages & Food and Household products, while new orders increased across the same 16 sectors, with autos seeing the strongest rise. However, not all sectors shared in the growth. Forestry & Paper Products and Construction Materials recorded declines in both output and new orders, with downturns worsening to their fastest in 26 and nine months. Cost pressures rose in 17 sectors, with Construction Materials seeing the sharpest increases, while Real Estate was the only sector to report falling costs.