Germany's business activity expanded slightly in August as a manufacturing
offset rebound a renewed services downturn. S&P Global's composite PMI fell to
51.0 in August from 51.3 in July (consensus 51.3). The manufacturing PMI rose to
54.1 from 52.2, the highest in 51 months. The services PMI slipped to 48.5 from
49.8, a three-month low and the fifth consecutive monthly decline, the fastest
fall since May. S&P Global Market Intelligence said manufacturing momentum has
returned after signs of a Q2 stall, while new orders and services employment
rose modestly for a second month, suggesting activity may soon stabilize.