Eurozone Manufacturing PMI Hits 32-Month High

The Eurozone's Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rose to 49 in April, up from 48.6 in March, marking the highest level in 32 months, according to a joint report by S&P Global and Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB) released on Friday.

Output Index and National Performances

The Manufacturing PMI Output Index reached a 37-month high, increasing from 50.5 in March to 51.5 in April. Notably, Greece and Ireland led the way with the strongest manufacturing economies in the region during April.

Employment and Confidence Levels

While employment levels continued to contract, the rate of contraction slowed down. However, confidence among manufacturers was reported to be at its weakest so far in 2025.

Expert Insights

"The industrial economy's near stabilization was supported by production increases in Germany and France, with Italy showing signs of moving back into expansion territory," commented HCOB Chief Economist Cyrus de la Rubia. He also noted that manufacturers managed to expand their profit margins in April, thanks to falling purchasing prices and rising selling prices, which saw their fastest increase in two years. However, he warned that this trend might not last due to potential shifts in US tariff policies affecting Chinese goods in the EU market.