The eurozone economy is showing signs of picking up momentum in the fourth quarter, with multi-year highs seen for all main indicators of output, demand, employment and inflation in November. Business activity and prices rose at the steepest rates for over six years, while the largest accumulation of uncompleted work for over a decade encouraged firms to take on staff at a rate not seen for 17 years.

The headline IHS Markit Eurozone PMI rose to 57.5 in November, according to the 'flash' estimate (based on approximately 85% of final replies), up from 56.0 in October and its highest since April 2011. The latest reading puts the economy on course for its best quarter since the start of 2011.