EZ composite PMI improves in November

(Sharecast News) - Eurozone business sentiment remained in the doldrums but there were signs of an easing of tougher conditions as the services industry returned to growth, according to preliminary survey data published on Monday. The HCOB composite eurozone Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 49.5 in December from 48.3 in the previous month and expectations of a slight fall to 48.2. A mark of 50 separates growth from contraction.

"The end of the year is somewhat more conciliatory than was generally expected. Service sector activity returned to growth territory and is showing a noticeable, if not exuberant, pace of expansion, similar to that seen in September and October," said Hamburg Commercial Bank chief economist Cyrus de la Rubia.

"The manufacturing sector's situation is still pretty dire. Output fell at a quicker pace in December than at any other time this year, and incoming orders were down too."

"The destocking cycle in inventories shows no sign of stopping either. Meanwhile, global manufacturing PMI data signalled a stabilisation in operating conditions in November, offering a glimmer of hope that the downward trend might not continue unabated in the eurozone.

In the services sector, the index hit 51.4 from 49.5, reaching a two-month high, while the manufacturing output index came in at 44.5 from 45.1 - a 12-month low.

"As has now been the case for several months, the overall reduction in business activity in the euro area was reflective of falls in the largest two economies - Germany and France," HCOB said.

"Both remained in contraction during December, with rates of decline easing only slightly from the previous month. In contrast, the rest of the eurozone posted a solid increase in output at the end of the year, with the rate of expansion reaching a six-month high."

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com