Economic activity in the euro area picked up more than expected

The preliminary value of the composite BMI index for March, which follows both manufacturing and service industry data, rose to 54.1 points, a ten-month high, from 52.0 points in February, instead of the expected decrease of 51.9 points.

The preliminary March value of the service industry BMI was 55.6 points, a 10-month peak after February’s 52.7 points and instead of the expected decrease of 52.5 points.

The manufacturing BMI, on the other hand, fell to 47.1 points, a four-month low, in March from 48.5 points in February. Here, however, the experts expected an improvement of 49.0 points.