According to research firm Markit, eurozone PMI growth slowed to a four-month low, another sign the economies in major nations face challenges.
The eurozone economy made a disappointing start to 2016. January saw the rate of output growth ease to one of the weakest over the past year. Slower expansions were signalled in both the manufacturing and service sectors, while national PMI data saw growth ease in Germany and Italy. France remained close to stagnation.
The final Markit Eurozone PMI® Composite Output Index fell to a four-month low of 53.6 in January, down from 54.3 in December and just above the earlier flash estimate of 53.5. Nonetheless, the headline index has remained above the neutral 50.0 mark for 31 consecutive months.
One of the primary reasons for the problems was job growth, a trouble that has not reached the United States, for now.
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