Banking sector growth was the fastest among the 18 broader Asian sectors in May, with activity expanding at the strongest pace in seven months, S&P Global said in a Wednesday release.

Output growth was recorded across 16 of the 18 monitored Asian sectors last month, which was unchanged from April. Only the forestry and paper products, and construction materials sectors incurred declines from April, along with lower new orders received, S&P said.

New orders rose across the remaining 16 sectors last month, led by the transportation sector.

Employment increased in 10 of 18 sectors, with software & services and technology equipment experiencing the strongest hiring, while insurance witnessed a cutdown in employed staff.