Euro Area Manufacturing PMI Tops Forecasts

2026-02-20 09:13 By Joana Taborda 1 min. read

The HCOB Flash Eurozone Manufacturing PMI increased to 50.8 in February 2026 from 49.5 in January, beating forecasts of 50.

The reading pointed to the strongest improvement in manufacturing business conditions since June 2022, with the rise in production being the sharpest since August 2025 and new orders increasing for the first time in six months, and at the fastest pace in almost four years.

On the other hand, manufacturing staffing levels continued to fall, input costs rose at the fastest pace since December 2022 and selling prices also accelerated.

Finally, business sentiment reached a four-year high.

"Overall, it seems that the manufacturing sector is on a more stable footing and could contribute to overall growth this year instead of being a drag for the economy", Dr. Cyrus de la Rubia, Chief Economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, said



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