Economic Buzz: Eurozone manufacturing PMI rises to 52.2 in April as demand strengthens

Eurozone manufacturing growth gained momentum in April, with the S&P Global Eurozone Manufacturing PMI rising to 52.2 from 51.6 in March?its highest level in nearly four years. The improvement was driven by stronger demand, as new orders increased at the fastest pace in four years, pushing production higher. Export orders also grew for the first time in over four years, signalling a recovery in international demand.

Much of the growth was linked to front-loaded purchasing, as customers placed orders early to avoid expected price hikes and supply disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict. This also led manufacturers to increase their own purchasing activity at the fastest pace since mid-2022.

However, rising demand added pressure to supply chains, with delivery delays worsening to their highest level since July 2022. Input costs surged, with inflation reaching a 46-month high, while output prices rose at the fastest rate since January 2023.

Despite improved production and demand, manufacturers continued to cut jobs, extending a nearly three-year trend of declining employment. Business confidence also weakened, falling to its lowest level since November 2024, reflecting concerns over inflation, supply issues and ongoing uncertainty.

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