April data indicated a decline in German private sector output, thereby ending a four-month period of expansion. This was highlighted by the seasonally adjusted Markit Flash Germany Composite Output Index posting 48.8 in April, below the crucial 50.0 no-change value and down from 50.6 in March. The latest reading indicated a moderate reduction in private sector business activity, with the pace of decline the fastest since October 2012. The manufacturing and service sectors both registered renewed falls in output levels during April, with the former posting a slightly faster rate of contraction. The decrease in ... (full story)