July saw business activity rise slightly for the second month running across the German private sector, according to the latest ‘flash’ HCOB PMI® survey data. Underlying demand continued to show a steady recovery, with services firms noting the first increase in new business in almost a year. Business expectations meanwhile picked up to their highest since May 2024, but employment nevertheless posted a further modest decline. On the price front, inflationary pressures were shown to have eased across the eurozone’s largest economy. The rates of increase in both input costs and average charges for goods and services ... (full story)