Germany's private sector growth improved marginally in October, flash survey data from Markit Economics showed Thursday.
The composite output index rose to 54.3 in October from 54.1 in September. The private sector extended the current sequence of output growth to a year-and-a-half.
Manufacturing growth picked up in October, with the pace of expansion the fastest in three months. Meanwhile, services output grew at a slightly weaker, albeit still robust rate, data showed.
The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' index climbed unexpectedly to 51.8 in October from 49.9 a month ago. Economists had forecast the index to fall to 49.5.
But the services PMI fell more-than-expected to a 4-month low of 54.8, from 55.7 in September. The score was forecast to drop marginally to 55.
"There are still some uncertainties about the near-term," said Oliver Kolodseike, an economist at Markit. "New orders increased at the slowest pace in over a year and service providers reported a sharp drop in sentiment, suggesting that output growth may come under pressure in coming months."
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