The IHS Markit Eurozone Composite PMI edged higher from 54.3 in July to 54.4 in August, according to the flash reading (which is based on approximately 85% of usual replies). The rise signalled a marginal acceleration of output growth during the month. However, the increase in output was the third-weakest since January 2017 and markedly lower than the expansions seen earlier in the year. Although growth rates improved slightly in manufacturing and services, both remained among the weakest seen for at least one-and-a-half years.