Euro area expansion loses momentum as uncertainty saps growth

LONDON • The euro area economy is losing steam as political uncertainty looms large over the 19-nation region.

A Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the manufacturing and services sector slid to 52.6 last month from 52.9 in August, IHS Markit said yesterday, confirming a Sept 23 estimate. That is the lowest level since January last year. A reading above 50 signals expansion.

Policymakers are struggling to shore up growth and inflation in a region increasingly beset with populist political movements. Ahead of national votes in some of the bloc's largest economies, challenges from how to deal with Britain's decision to leave the European Union to integrating migrants into a workforce strapped by high unemployment need to be met.

"The slowing rate of growth across the region in part reflects growing caution among businesses," said Mr Chris Williamson, chief economist at IHS Markit. "We see this trend persisting into next year, as the impact of Brexit is exacerbated by uncertainty surrounding elections in France and Germany alongside ongoing political unrest in Italy and Spain."

A PMI for services fell to 52.2 last month from 52.8, according to the report. A measure for manufacturing rose to 52.6 from 51.7, IHS Markit said on Monday.

Among the region's four major economies, France was the only one registering a pick-up in momentum, with stronger growth in services more than making up for near-stagnant manufacturing. Activity slowed in Germany, Italy and Spain.

Mr Williamson said PMI data suggest the euro area economy expanded by 0.3 per cent in the third quarter, the same rate recorded in the previous three months.

But there are signs the recovery is slowing down.

"While we see the euro zone economy expanding by 1.6 per cent in 2016, even this modest growth is looking unattainable in 2017 given the heightened political uncertainty that lies ahead".

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 06, 2016, with the headline Euro area expansion loses momentum as uncertainty saps growth. Subscribe