Germany's private sector economy ended the third quarter strongly, with business activity growth accelerating to the fastest in almost six-and-a-half years, according to flash PMI survey data from IHS Markit. Improved performances were seen across both manufacturing and services in September, though it was the former that continued to show the much faster rate of expansion.

The IHS Markit Flash Germany Composite Output Index rose for the second month running in September to 57.8, up from 55.8 in August and its highest reading since April 2011. Average growth across the third quarter as whole was robust but slightly below that seen in quarter two, reflecting the comparatively subdued rate of expansion seen in July.