The euro area’s output growth accelerated to a near 12-year high, underpinned by solid inflows of new orders. The pace of job creation was the fastest since late-2000.
According to the final data from IHS Markit, the eurozone composite output index rose to 58.8 in January from 58.1 in December, hitting the highest level since June 2006. The flash score was 58.6.
The services PMI climbed to 58 in January from 56.6 in the previous month. The preliminary reading stood at 57.6. That was the highest figure since August 2007.
Business activity expanded at solid rates across the nations surveyed. France moved to the top of the growth rankings with the PMI score holding at November’s six-and-a-half year high. In Germany, the PMI reading was at the highest level over the past 81 months, Italy’s index stood at a 139-month high, while that of Ireland was at a 2-month low. Growth in Spain accelerated to a 6 month-high.
