Manufacturing activity falters to 3-month low due to Middle East crisis

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine manufacturing sector lost momentum in March as the outbreak of war in the Middle East dampened demand for exports.  S&P Global’s survey of 400 firms showed that the country’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to a three-month low of 51.3 in March from 54.6 in February.  The previous month’s PMI was