{
  "id": 9299573,
  "title": "Euro zone business activity posts surprise upturn in September, PMI shows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/euro-zone-business-activity-posts-surprise-upturn-in-september-pmi",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-23T08:06:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/economic-indicators/euro-zone-business-activity-posts-surprise-upturn-in-september-pmi-shows-4912251"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In September, economic activity in the euro zone unexpectedly surged, defying predictions of a slowdown, according to a survey by S&P Global. The S&P Global Flash Euro Zone Composite PMI Output Index rose to 53.1 from August's 52.0, its highest reading since April 2023, signaling an expansion in business activity. This contrasts with a Reuters poll predicting a dip to 51.7.\n\nChris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global, noted that the resilience in economic growth is encouraging despite rising inflationary pressures. The surge in new orders was the fastest pace in over four years, driven by a rise in exports, including intra-euro zone trade. Both the services and manufacturing sectors contributed to the expansion.\n\nThe services sector's PMI climbed to 53.0, the highest in nearly a year, while the manufacturing index remained steady at August's 52.7. However, output, which feeds into the composite PMI, increased to 53.4. To meet growing demand, firms hired more staff but faced a sharp increase in operating costs due to high energy prices resulting from the US-Iran conflict. They partially passed these costs onto customers.\n\nEarlier this month, the European Central Bank raised interest rates for the second time this year to curb the impact of energy-driven inflation. The bank warned that price pressures could persist. Market participants are pricing three more hikes by the end of June. Despite these headwinds, the strength of economic growth underlines the likelihood of the ECB hiking interest rates again before the end of the year, potentially making an October hike very likely.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times - Economy",
        "title": "India business activity rebounds in September to 3-month high, PMI shows",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/india-business-activity-rebounds-in-september-to-3-month-high-pmi",
        "published": "2026-09-23T05:48:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Seeking Alpha News",
        "title": "France flash composite PMI rises to 25-month high as business activity rebounds",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/france-flash-composite-pmi-rises-to-25-month-high-as-business",
        "published": "2026-09-23T07:21:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}