Eurozone PMI Manufacturing was finalized at 54.8 in January, down from December’s 55.2. Markit said the marked gains in new orders and output sustained. But delivery delays intensified, leading to rapid rise in purchase prices. Looking at some member states, the Netherlands hit 28-month high at 58.8. Germany retreated to 4-month low at 47.1. Italy hit 34-month high at 55.1. Australia hit 26-month high at 54.2. France recovered to 6-month-high at 51.6. But Spain contracted at 49.3, 7-month low.
Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at IHS Markit said: “Eurozone manufacturing output continued to expand at a solid pace at the start of 2021, though growth has weakened to the lowest since the recovery began as new lockdown measures and supply shortages pose further challenges to producers across the region… While future prospects brightened, with manufacturers’ optimism striking a three-year high in January to sound a reassuring note of confidence at the start of the year, any potential delays to the vaccine roll-outs will add an additional layer of uncertainty to the outlook.”
