The slowdown of growth in the euro area’s manufacturing economy, seen throughout much of 2018, carried on until the end of the year in December. After accounting for seasonal factors, the IHS Markit Eurozone Manufacturing PMI recorded a final reading of 51.4, unchanged from the flash estimate but down from 51.8 in November. Although extending the current run of expansion to five-and-ahalf years, the latest PMI reading was the lowest seen since February 2016. Latest data showed divergent trends by market group. Whilst growth in the consumer goods sector accelerated to a solid level, there was a deterioration of ... (full story)