Tougher measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections further depressed activity across Germany’s service sector at the start of the year, although overall economic output in the country continued to see support from growth in the manufacturing sector and rising goods exports. That was the message from latest ‘flash’ PMI® data from IHS Markit, which also showed employment increasing slightly in January as firms’ expectations for the year ahead improved. Elsewhere, January’s survey revealed unprecedented delays on the delivery of inputs to manufacturers amid growing pressure on ... (full story)