France is eurozone’s bright spark amid German gloom

The single currency bloc’s economy grew this month, with the French manufacturing and services sectors enjoying an uplift
The single currency bloc’s economy grew this month, with the French manufacturing and services sectors enjoying an uplift
ARTUR WIDAK/GETTY IMAGES

Businesses across the eurozone enjoyed growth this month but the rise was not enough to calm fears about the health of its largest economy.

IHS Markit’s flash composite purchasing managers’ index, which surveys 3,000 businesses across the single currency bloc, climbed to 51.8 from 51.5. Any figure above 50 in the survey, which is regarded as a good indicator of economic health, indicates growth.

Growth was led by the services sector, which rose from 53.2 to 53.4. Although activity in the manufacturing sector also increased, the index remained in negative territory, with a reading of 47.

Worries remain over Germany, the region’s largest economy. Although manufacturing output there rose from 44.2 to 45.8, it was still in negative territory. IHS Markit noted that the number