Growth remains weak manufacturing sector in the Eurozone. In February, the sector PMI calculated by Markit Economics came in at 51,0 points, unchanged from January (when it was at a six-month high), but below the previous flash estimate of 51,1 ,XNUMX.
“The manufacturing sector of the Eurozone recorded very slight growth in February – commented Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit – thus underlining the malaise that still persists in the entire manufacturing economy. However, behind the disappointing PMI, different nations are clearly moving at different paces, ranging from Ireland's boom to France's collapse.
The PMI manufacturing indexItaly, however, jumped to 51,9 points in February, from 49,9 in January. This is the highest level since July 2014 and beats market expectations, which had gone no further than an increase to 50,1. Quota 50 is the demarcation threshold between expansion and contraction of the cycle. New orders increased to 51,2 points from 47,8 in January.
as to Germany, the indicator rose to 51,1 points, from 50,9 the previous month, topping the preliminary reading of 50,9. "While the growth rate remains below the levels seen at the start of last year, an improving economic environment and a weak euro should help boost demand in the coming months," said Oliver Kolodseike, economist at Markit, in a statement.
On the other hand, activity in the manufacturing sector was bad French, which accentuated the rate of fall in February, highlighting a sharp drop in new orders and weak demand, which led to further reductions in workforces. In February, the PMI index fell to 47,6 points, from 49,2 in January. The final reading is slightly worse than the flash estimate released in recent days, which stood at 47,7.
Outside the Eurozone, the Markit manufacturing PMI index in Britain it rose to 54,1 points, from 53,1 in January, exceeding market expectations (53,3). This is the third consecutive month of growth for the index, which thus stands at the highest value since June 2014.
