The German economy contracted in September, latest flash PMI data showed, as the downturn in manufacturing deepened and service sector growth lost momentum. Job creation meanwhile stalled as firms reported weakening demand and pessimism towards the outlook for activity. The fall in output was accompanied by easing price pressures, with average charges for goods and services rising at the slowest rate for over three years. The IHS Markit Flash Germany Composite Output Index – which is based on approximately 85% of usual monthly replies – registered 49.1 in September, down from 51.7 in August and its first reading ... (full story)