Germany's service sector started the fourth quarter on a strong footing, despite growth in business activity easing slightly since September, according to the latest PMI survey data from IHS Markit. Inflows of new work rose at the fastest pace for 20 months in October, signalling a backdrop of robust demand, and job creation also picked up to show the strongest increase in tertiary sector employment since May.

The seasonally adjusted final IHS Markit Germany Services PMI Business Activity Index was at 54.7 in October, down from September's six-month high of 55.6 (and below the flash estimate of 55.2) but still indicative of a robust rate of expansion. The latest figure was slightly above the average recorded in the third quarter, and indeed for the year so far (54.5).