Flash PMI indices for May from France and Germany were released at 8:15 am BST and 8:30 am BST, respectively. Data was expected to show a small improvement in the manufacturing sector as well as deterioration in the services sector.
Indeed, it was the case with French data with manufacturing index climbing in-line with expectations and services index dropping more than expected. However, things looked different in case of German data as manufacturing index there disappointed and dropped instead of improving while services gauge unexpectedly jumped. In both countries manufacturing sector remained below 50 points threshold, indicating a recession, while services sector remain above 50 points threshold, indicating an expansion.
France
-
Manufacturing: 46.1 vs 46.0 expected (45.6 previously)
-
Services: 52.8 vs 54.2 expected (54.6 previously)
Germany
-
Manufacturing: 42.9 vs 45.0 expected (44.5 previously)
-
Services: 57.8 vs 55.5 expected (56.0 previously)
EUR and European indices dropped in a knee-jerk move after the French release, with EURUSD dropping deeper below 1.08 mark. While equity indices managed to recover from those losses later on, they faced another wave of selling following German data. Meanwhile, EUR attempted to recover after German data and moved back towards the 1.08 mark.
Source: xStation5
Daily summary: AI optimism, Nvidia stock surge & second round of US - Iran talks drive optimism on Wall Street
🔴Three markets to watch next week: all eyes on the Fed (24.04.2026)
BREAKING: US Department of Justice Drops Probe Against Powell❗️Dollar slides along bond yields 📉
Market Wrap: Indices try to recover on US-Iran negotiations hopes 🇪🇺 SAP surges 6% after earnings 📈