Data released at the start of the European session on Thursday, April 23, showed mixed performance across most Eurozone services and manufacturing PMIs, while the UK’s April reading was positive. The Eurozone services PMI fell to a 62-month low of 47.4 in April, compared to 50.2 in March (predicted 49.8). Conversely, the manufacturing PMI rose to a 47-month high of 52.2 from 51.6 in March (predicted 50.9).

Specifically, the French services PMI fell to 46.5 in April, compared to 48.8 in March, marking its lowest reading in 14 months (predicted 48.5). Meanwhile, the manufacturing PMI rose to 52.8 in April, its highest reading in 47 months, compared to 50.0 in March (predicted 49.5). In Germany, the services index fell to its lowest level in 41 months, reaching 46.9 in April, compared to 50.9 in March. This figure fell short of expectations, which had anticipated growth of 50.4. The manufacturing index, however, rose to 51.2, compared to February’s reading of 52.2, its highest level in two months (expectations had been 51.4).

Meanwhile, data from the United Kingdom was positive in April. The manufacturing index exceeded expectations, reaching 53.6 points, its highest level in 47 months, compared to February’s reading of 51.0. Conversely, the services index rose to its lowest level in two months, reaching 52.0, compared to February’s reading of 50.5 (expectations had been 50.0).