At 54.3, the final IHS Markit Eurozone PMI Composite Output Index was down from 54.9 in June and unchanged from the earlier flash estimate.

Rob Dobson, Director at IHS Markit said: "The final PMI numbers confirm the euro area economy started quarter three on a softer footing. July saw rates of expansion in both output and new orders cede the momentum recaptured in the prior survey month, returning to a picture of sliding growth rates seen through much of the year-to-date. "If the headline index continues to track at its current level, quarterly GDP growth over the third quarter as a whole would be little-changed from the softer-thanexpected expansion of 0.3% signalled by official Eurostat data for quarter two".