Germany's manufacturing sector ended the second quarter with a modest rise in output that was supported by a slight uptick in demand, the latest PMI® survey data showed. Firms were also a little more optimistic about the outlook, although expectations were still subdued by historical standards. Goods producers in the eurozone's largest economy continued to face substantial disruption across supply chains and a steep rate of input price inflation, both principally linked to the fallout from the war in the Middle East. That said, reports of delays and cost pressures both eased from the recent highs. At 50.3 in June, ... (full story)