The end of 2017 confirms the growth underway in the Eurozone and signals new records for production and orders by companies in the Eurozone. In December, according to the preliminary results of the index among procurement managers, it reached its highest level in almost 7 years. AND the levels of orders, reports the research company Ihs Markit in a note, have risen to the highest levels since 2000, ie for 17 years. The job creation pointed to a 17-year record this part while the pressure on prices remained high, even if slightly slowing down. After the comforting news about the recovered in Italy and on the growth of the GDP that follows, therefore the confirmations arrive at the European level.
Il Purchasing Managers' Index December overall stood at 58 points, from 57,5 in November, marking an 82-month high. The PMI index relating to manufacturing companies reached 60,6, a value that marks a new all-time record. The services index, at 56,5 points, rose to an 80-month high. In this survey, the 50 points are the limit between growth and decline in activity.
According to Chris Williamson, chief economist at IHS Markit the end of 2017 is outlined as "the best quarter since the beginning of 2011", which in terms of GDP should correspond to a plus 0,8 per cent of the euro area. “The renewed optimism for activity next year is indicative of how companies are not placing as much weight on current political uncertainties, instead focusing on improved demand conditions and paving the way for a strong start to 2018.”
