Germany posted the fastest rate of private sector output growth in nearly six years at the end of the first quarter of 2017. The March PMI survey data also signalled a near-record rate of employment growth and the strongest cost pressures for nearly six years.

The Markit Flash Germany Composite Output Index rose for the second month running from 56.1 in February to 57.0, the highest since May 2011 and signalling marked economic growth in the eurozone's largest economy. The current sequence of continuous expansion now stretches to 47 months.