Fresh data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show nonfarm labor productivity rebounded at a 2.4% annualised pace in the second quarter, outpacing economists’ 2.0% consensus and reversing a 1.5% decline in the first three months of the year. Output rose 3.7% while hours worked increased 1.3%, lifting efficiency and limiting wage-linked price pressures. Unit labor costs, closely watched for their inflation signal, advanced 1.6%—a sharp slowdown from the previous quarter’s 6.6% gain—while hourly compensation climbed 4.0%. In Japan, the Cabinet Office’s preliminary June indicators also pointed to a modest pickup in momentum. The composite Coincident Index, which gauges current economic conditions, edged up to 116.8, beating the 116.6 projection and improving from 116.0 in May. The Leading Index, intended to flag the outlook several months ahead, rose to 106.1 versus 104.8 previously and marginally topped forecasts. The month-on-month rise in the leading gauge accelerated to 1.3% from 0.6%, suggesting incremental improvement in activity.