FX.co ★ Eurozone manufacturing PMI at 6-year high

The final reading of IHS Markit’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index came in at 56.7 in April, above the previous month’s figure of 56.2. The increase signals the greatest recovery in the euro area’s manufacturing sector since 2011. The preliminary reading for the month was 56.8.

Meanwhile, Germany’s manufacturing PMI edged down to 58.2 from a 71-month high of 58.3 in March. April figures indicate a continuing improvement in the manufacturing activity.

France’s final manufacturing PMI stood at 55.1 in April with export orders rising at the fastest pace since April 2011. The pace of job creation accelerated, with companies being optimistic about their growth prospects.

Italy's factory activity hit a 6-year high in April with the PMI index rising to 56.2 from March's 55.7.

In the meantime, Spain’s manufacturing PMI came in at 54.5 in April, up from 53.9 in the prior month. Business conditions have strengthened for the 41 month in a row.

Greece’s manufacturing PMI improved to 48.2 in April from 46.7 in the previous month. The reading pointed to the eighth consecutive decline in factory activity, however at the weakest pace since December 2016.