September saw an uptick in business activity growth across the German private sector, according to the latest ‘flash’ HCOB PMI® survey data. Output rose to the greatest extent for 16 months, driven predominantly by a renewed upturn in the service sector. There were, however, signs of fragile demand, with the latest data indicating a broad-based decrease in inflows of new work. Employment also fell in both monitored sectors, amid a general weakening of business expectations for the year ahead. On the price front, September flash data showed a slight pick-up in inflationary pressures, with the rates of increase in ... (full story)