Eurozone PMI picks up the pace in September, but outlook mixed
Euro area manufacturing sector activity sped up last month with a resurgence in exports supporting higher levels of output and new orders - albeit mainly in Germany.
IHS Markit's factory sector Purchasing Managers' Index was confirmed as having risen from a reading of 51.7 in August to 53.7 for September.
Growth in the sector was fastest in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, but only slight in Spain while Greece saw no growth and in Ireland the recovery stalled.
Nevertheless, growth was strongest among firms producing capital goods, achieving its fastest clip in more than two years, which was one potential positive.
Export trade meanwhile picked up at the quickest pace since February 2018.
Commenting on the outlook, IHS Markit chief business economist, Chris Williamson, sounded a mixed note.
"Encouragingly, optimism about the future rose not only in Germany but also in France, Italy, Spain and Austria, hinting that the upturn could broaden out in coming months.
"Without a more broad-based recovery, the sustainability of the upturn looks at risk, with additional worries fuelled by rising Covid19 infection rates."