Conditions in the eurozone manufacturing sector remained lacklustre at the start of the second quarter , as rates of expansion eased for both production and incoming new orders. Brighter news was provided on the employment and price fronts, as jobs growth gained momentum and deflati onary pressures moderated. The f inal Markit E urozone Manufacturing PMI ® ticked higher for a second successive month , posting three - month high of 51.7 . This was above March’s 51.6, the earlier flash estimate of 51.5 and the long - run survey average of 51.4. The reading was nonetheless among the weakest registered over the past year ... (full story)