Eurozone economic growth gathered further momentum in March, according to PMI survey data, reaching a near six-year high. The survey also saw the best employment growth for almost a decade as both manufacturing and service sector firms responded to surging order books. Business optimism meanwhile hit a new peak, but price pressures also intensified to a near six-year high.

The Markit Eurozone PMI rose to 56.7 in March, according to the preliminary 'flash' estimate (based on approximately 85% of final replies). Up from 56.0 in February, the latest reading was the highest since April 2011. The first quarter average of 55.7 is the highest since the first quarter of 2011.