The start of 2017 saw a marked improvement in business conditions at eurozone manufacturers. Output growth held steady at December's 32-month record, underpinned by the strongest inflows of new business and the fastest job creation since the first half of 2011. Price pressures continued to intensify, however, with rates of inflation in input costs and output charges both gathering pace.
At 55.2 in January, up from 54.9 in December, the final Markit Eurozone Manufacturing PMI rose to a 69-month high and was above its earlier flash estimate of 55.1. The headline PMI has signalled expansion in each month since July 2013.