macro

Eurozone Business Activity Slows, PMI Falls to 51.9 in October

The eurozone PMI from S&P Global fell to a four-month low of 51.9 as margins squeezed and energy costs stayed high. Activity contracted in France.

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what happened

Business activity in the eurozone slowed in October as companies faced tighter profit margins, according to purchasing managers' surveys released on Friday. S&P Global's composite PMI for the eurozone, covering services and manufacturing, dropped to 51.9 from 53.1 in September, a four-month low. Readings above 50 signal expansion, while readings below 50 signal contraction.

France recorded a decline as government bond prices fell and borrowing costs rose for households and businesses. Protests also disrupted service providers in several cities. Australia slid into contraction, while India picked up and Japan grew at a steady pace. Economists had expected a slowdown.

The data, reported by Dow Jones Newswires, points to weakening resilience as higher energy costs linked to the US-Iran war weigh on the region.

why it matters

Weakness in Europe amid costly energy suggests the region's growth momentum is fading. For the euro, softer activity data can weigh on EUR/USD, while higher French yields keep pressure on French government bonds.

market impact

Euro and European equities: weaker activity data can pressure EUR/USD and the European sector

tags

instruments

EUR/USDEuro Stoxx 50French OATBund

sources

  1. French Contraction Has Slowed Eurozone Expansion, Surveys Show — Dow Jones Newswires, 23 October 2026 at 08:21 UTC

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