The final IHS Markit Eurozone Manufacturing PMI eased to a four-month low of 58.6 in February, down from 59.6 in January, better than the earlier flash estimate of 58.5 and well above its long-run average of 51.8. The PMI has remained above the 50.0 nochange mark, signalling expansion, for 56 months.

Commenting on the final Manufacturing PMI data, Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at IHS Markit said: "Although the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI fell for a second successive month in February, the survey data indicate that factories are still enjoying their best growth spell for 18 years. The average PMI for the first quarter so far is the second-highest since the spring of 2000, falling just short of the nearrecord peak seen in the fourth quarter of last year".