S&P Global preliminary eurozone composite PMI output index rose to 52.1 from
July’s 52.0, beating the 51.7 consensus and hitting its highest level since
November. New orders expanded at the fastest pace in 40 months and export
orders, including intra-eurozone trade, rose for the first time since February
2022. Price pressures eased. S&P Global noted manufacturing led the improvement
with services providing support; firms rebuilt inventories as a precaution amid
ongoing Middle East supply disruptions, while rising demand for AI-related tech
and higher defence spending are boosting equipment orders and materially lifting
German output.