Eurozone manufacturing growth ticks up less than estimated in February
Growth in the eurozone manufacturing sector picked up a little less than initially estimated in February, according to figures released on Wednesday.
Markit's final eurozone manufacturing purchasing managers' index printed at 55.4, up from 55.2 in January but down a touch from the flash estimate of 55.5. Still, this marked the highest level since April 2011.
A reading above 50 signals expansion, while a reading below points to contraction.
Companies indicated that domestic demand remained solid in a number of markets, while the weak euro contributed to the fastest growth of new export business for almost six years.
Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, said: “Given the current buoyant demand environment, manufacturers are eschewing political uncertainty and quietly getting on with growing their businesses. The rate of job creation seen so far this year in the manufacturing sector has consequently been among the best seen in the history of the euro."