Euro-zone private sector near stagnation amid turmoil

The euro area's private sector barely grew in June, remaining in limbo as erratic US trade policy and geopolitical conflicts leave companies in the dark on what's next.

- ALEXANDER WEBER

The Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index by S&P Global held at 50.2, remaining just above the 50 threshold separating growth from contraction, data yesterday showed. Economists had anticipated an acceleration to 50.5. Services made it back to the vital 50 level as well, while manufacturing stayed at 49.4 — failing to grow for a 36th month.

“The euro-zone economy is struggling to gain momentum,” said Cyrus de la Rubia, an economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank. “For six months now, growth has been minimal.”