IHS Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index for the sector slipped to 44.1 in March, worse than a flash reading of 44.7 that was already well below economist estimates.

In contrast with the country’s otherwise robust labor market, manufacturers cut jobs for the first time in three years

French manufacturing also shrank more than expected -- the PMI there was revised down to 49.7. A reading below 50 signals contraction.

www.bloomberg.com/ne...-euro-area

The headline seasonally adjusted Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI™
– a composite indicator designed to provide a single figure snapshot of operating conditions in the manufacturing economy – posted 50.8 in March, up from 49.9 in February, to signal the first improvement in the health of China’s manufacturing sector for four months.

www.markiteconomics....852c821bc8