German Growth Ticks Up Slightly

Germany’s flash composite PMI rose to 50.9 in August from 50.6, the highest since March and above market expectations of 50.2. Still, it was below the long-run 52.6 average, signaling modest growth. Manufacturing led with output at 52.6 on stronger new orders, while services stagnated at 50.1....

Euro Area Manufacturing PMI Highest in 9 Months

The HCOB Flash Eurozone Manufacturing PMI increased to 47.3 in February 2025 from 46.6 in January, beating forecasts of 47, preliminary estimates showed. The reading pointed to the weakest downturn in the manufacturing sector in nine months, as production continued to fall although the pace of...

Eurozone Preliminary Manufacturing PMI improves to 45.9 in October vs. 45.1 expected

Euro zone inflation tumbles, firming up ECB rate cut bets

Euro zone inflation fell to its lowest level in three years this month, adding to the case for another European Central Bank interest rate cut in September, even if price growth is likely to rebound towards the end of the year. Inflation in the 20 countries sharing the euro slowed to 2.2% from...

Euro Zone August Business Activity Surprisingly Strong, PMI Shows

Euro zone business activity showed surprising strength in August despite firms raising prices, a survey showed, potentially weakening expectations for two more rate cuts from the European Central Bank this year. However, the recovery was mixed as a strong rebound in the bloc's dominant services...

Euro Zone Inflation Rises to 2.6% in July, Above Expectations

Headline inflation in the euro zone unexpectedly rose to 2.6% in July, the European Union’s statistics agency said Wednesday. In June, inflation had come in at 2.5%, easing slightly from the 2.6% of May. Economists polled by Reuters had been expecting the headline figure for July to be unchanged...

Eurozone Preliminary Manufacturing PMI Edges Lower to 45.6 in July vs. 46.1 Expected

The Eurozone manufacturing sector contraction extended while the services sector activity lost its recovery momentum in July, according to the data from the HCOB's latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) Survey published on Wednesday. The Eurozone Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)...

German Factories Push Private Sector Into Surprise Contraction

Germany’s private sector unexpectedly contracted in July as country’s manufacturing malaise worsened undermining hopes that growth will pick up in the second half of the year.  S&P Global’s Purchasing Manager Index fell to 48.7 from 50.4 in the previous month, back below the 50...

French Services Sector Grew in July, Helped by Olympics, PMI Shows

France's dominant services sector expanded in July, a survey showed on Wednesday, helped by a pick-up in business from the Olympic Games although the country's manufacturing sector weakened further. The HCOB flash purchasing managers index for the services sector, compiled by S&P Global, rose...

ECB Holds Rates Steady With More Data Needed for Next Cut

The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged after last month’s landmark cut — giving away little on its plans as investors and economists bet on another move in September. The deposit rate was kept at 3.75% on Thursday — as all 55 economists in a...

UK Wage Growth Slows in Sign of Weakening Jobs Market

UK wage growth slipped below 6% for the first time in 20 months, the latest sign of a cooling labor market as the Bank of England considers whether it can cut interest rates next month. Average earnings excluding bonuses rose 5.7% in the three months through May, down from 6% in the period...

Euro-Zone Inflation Slows as Lagarde Plays for Time on Rates

Euro-zone inflation slowed in June — adding to evidence that price pressures are gradually moving toward the European Central Bank’s 2% target. Consumer prices rose an annual 2.5% last month, down from 2.6% in May and in line with the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of...

Bank of England says UK households and businesses are coping with high rates

British businesses and households are generally coping well with high interest rates, although some, especially renters, are under pressure, the Bank of England said on Thursday. However, global asset prices were vulnerable to "a sharp correction" as investors were generally demanding very little...

Flash French Composite PMI Falls in June as New Orders Slump Again

France's private sector economy unexpectedly slipped further into the contraction territory in June following a fresh decline in total new orders. The HCOB Flash France Composite PMI Output Index fell to a four-month low of 48.2 in June from 48.9 in May, missing the analyst consensus of 49.5,...

SNB Cuts Rate Again to Aid Economy and Stem Gains in the Franc

The Swiss National Bank cut borrowing costs again to loosen constriction on the economy and stem gains in the franc, a move that contrasts with the hesitancy of global peers over easing. Officials in Zurich lowered their benchmark by 25 basis points to 1.25% on Thursday after...

Euro-Zone Inflation Up More Than Expected Before ECB Cut

Euro-area inflation accelerated more than anticipated further clouding the outlook for European Central Bank interest rates after next week’s planned cut. Consumer prices rose 2.6% from a year ago in May, up from 2.4% in April, Eurostat said Friday. That’s more than the 2.5% median...

German Business Activity Grows for Second Straight Month in May, PMI Shows

German private sector activity expanded in May for the second consecutive month, driven by strong activity in services, a preliminary survey showed on Thursday. The HCOB German Flash Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rose to 52.2 in May from 50.6 in April....

France Flash Composite PMI Drops to 49.1 in May

The headline HCOB Flash France Composite PMI decreased for the first time in 2024 in May to 49.1, from 50.5 in April and moving from expansion to contraction territory. HCOB Flash France Services PMI at 49.4. HCOB Flash France Manufacturing PMI at 46.7. “The French economy will grow in the...

Euro Zone Inflation Unexpectedly Slows To 2.4% In March, With Core Print Also Below Forecast

Inflation in the 20-nation euro zone eased to 2.4% in March, according to flash figures published on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters had expected the rate to hold steady against the previous month at 2.6%. The core rate, excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco cooled from 3.1% to...

German Economic Downturn Eases Slightly in March

Germany's economic downturn eased slightly in March as business activity in the country’s service sector came close to stabilising, a preliminary survey showed on Thursday. The HCOB German Flash Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rose to 47.4 in March from...