WS News
03 Sep 2026, 09:14
Eurozone Services Growth Holds in August as Italy Strength Offsets Weakness in France
Eurozone services activity continued to expand in August, although growth was slightly weaker than expected and performance across the region’s largest economies remained uneven.
The HCOB Eurozone Services PMI came in at 51.6, marginally below both the 51.7 consensus and the previous reading of 51.7. The Composite PMI, which combines manufacturing and services activity, stood at 52.0, matching the previous month but slightly missing expectations of 52.1. Both readings remained above the 50 threshold separating expansion from contraction.
Italy delivered the strongest upside surprise among the major economies. Its Services PMI jumped to 55.2 from 52.5, comfortably beating expectations of 53.6 and pointing to a significant acceleration in activity.
Germany also performed better than expected, with its Services PMI at 49.7 compared with the 48.5 consensus. However, the reading remained below 50 and was little changed from July’s 49.8, indicating that Germany’s services sector continued to contract, albeit only marginally.
France remained a notable weak spot. Its Services PMI fell to 48.0 from 49.6, below expectations of 48.4 and signaling a deeper contraction. Spain remained the strongest major services economy despite some moderation, with its PMI at 57.8 versus 58.3 previously, although that was below the 59.0 forecast.
Overall, the data show a Eurozone economy still expanding but with significant divergence between member states. Strong growth in Italy and Spain is helping offset contraction in France and Germany, while the broadly stable regional PMI suggests that economic momentum remains positive but modest.
Eurozone services activity continued to expand in August, although growth was slightly weaker than expected and performance across the region’s largest economies remained uneven.
The HCOB Eurozone Services PMI came in at 51.6, marginally below both the 51.7 consensus and the previous reading of 51.7. The Composite PMI, which combines manufacturing and services activity, stood at 52.0, matching the previous month but slightly missing expectations of 52.1. Both readings remained above the 50 threshold separating expansion from contraction.
Italy delivered the strongest upside surprise among the major economies. Its Services PMI jumped to 55.2 from 52.5, comfortably beating expectations of 53.6 and pointing to a significant acceleration in activity.
Germany also performed better than expected, with its Services PMI at 49.7 compared with the 48.5 consensus. However, the reading remained below 50 and was little changed from July’s 49.8, indicating that Germany’s services sector continued to contract, albeit only marginally.
France remained a notable weak spot. Its Services PMI fell to 48.0 from 49.6, below expectations of 48.4 and signaling a deeper contraction. Spain remained the strongest major services economy despite some moderation, with its PMI at 57.8 versus 58.3 previously, although that was below the 59.0 forecast.
Overall, the data show a Eurozone economy still expanding but with significant divergence between member states. Strong growth in Italy and Spain is helping offset contraction in France and Germany, while the broadly stable regional PMI suggests that economic momentum remains positive but modest.
