Economics
Economic Activity Jumps to Six-Month High in the Euro Zone
- German manufacturing gauge rises, though report has downsides
- Asian economies still taking the brunt of the economic hit
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Euro-zone economic activity unexpectedly accelerated at the fastest pace in six months in February, with services proving resilient as factories battled challenges including the coronavirus outbreak.
The reading in a survey by IHS Markit comes a day after European Central Bank President Luis de Guindos said the bloc’s relatively strong labor market and ultra-low interest rates are supporting economic growth. That’s an echo of an argument long made by the ECB, that domestic strength is providing some buffer against global risks.