Markit's Eurozone Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) was at 52 points in September this year, down slightly from August’s 52.3 points and remaining stable compared to the earlier flash estimate of 52 points.
The euro zone manufacturing sector continued to make steady progress at the end of the third quarter, as production and new business both expanded at modest rates. Cost pressures shifted to the downside, however, with input costs and selling prices falling during September.
“The manufacturing sector is likely to provide only a minor boost to the overall economy in the third quarter, restraining GDP growth to around 0.4 percent. Export orders rose at a slower rate in September, in part reflecting weaker demand from emerging markets,” stated Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit.