Business activity in the eurozone falls for the second month in a row

According to preliminary data from the research organization S&P Global, the composite purchasing managers index (PMI) of 19 eurozone countries in August continues to remain below the level of 50 points – the bar separating the growth of business activity from the fall. The indicator decreased from 49.9 points in July to 49.2 points, that is, business activity in the region is falling for the second month in a row. 

Nevertheless, the indicator turned out to be higher than the expectations of market participants (49 points).

The indicator of activity in the service sector decreased to 50.2 points (from July 51.2 points), while updating the minimum since April 2021.

The manufacturing PMI fell to 49.7 (from 49.8 points), reaching the lowest value since June 2020.

Germany's composite PMI in August fell to 47.6 points (from 48.1 points), also to the lowest since June 2020. The indicator in the service sector fell to 48.2 (from 49.7 points), while in industry the indicator rose to 49.8 points from 49.3 points a month earlier.

France's composite PMI was 49.8 points compared to July's 51.7 points.  The index of business activity in the service sector decreased to 51 from 53.2 points, in the manufacturing industry – to 49 from 49.5 points.

The UK composite PMI in August, although it remained above 50 points, but fell to the lowest since 2021 – 50.9 points from 52.1 points a month earlier. The indicator in the services sector has updated at least in 1.5 years (52.5 points), and in the manufacturing industry – it turned out to be at the lowest level in 27 months (46 points).