[EU News] Euro region strengthens amid wrangling over Greece

[lioneatszebra]

Euro region strengthens amid wrangling over Greece
From Chicago Tribune

Euro-area manufacturing and services strengthened this month, indicating the region's economy is building momentum even as concerns mount about a possible Greek exit from the common currency.

A composite Purchasing Managers Index for both sectors rose to 53.5 from 52.6 in January, London-based Markit Economics said on Friday. That exceeded the median forecast of economists for a reading of 53 and is the highest in seven months.

The 19-country economy grew 0.3 percent in the final three months of 2014, and Markit estimates a similar pace of growth this quarter. Germany is leading the region's recovery as a weakening currency lifts exports, while European Central Bank stimulus and a boon from cheaper energy costs is bolstering confidence about the outlook.

"Undeterred by the ongoing Greek debt crisis, economic growth is gathering momentum and looks set to gain further traction in coming months," said Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit in London. "With the ECB's quantitative easing 'bazooka' due to start in March, business optimism has been boosted to its highest for three-and-a-half years."

Markit's manufacturing gauge for the region rose to 51.1 in February from 51 in January, less than economists had forecast. The services measure jumped to 53.9 from 52.7, beating estimates. A reading above 50 indicates expansion.

"Growth is looking lop-sided," Williamson said. It's "very much dependent on the services economy where lower prices are fueling growth, especially in consumer-facing sectors. The weakness of the manufacturing economy remains a major concern."

In a sign of rising optimism, hiring picked up and the rate of job creation was the strongest since 2011, according to Markit. German investor confidence rose to the highest in a year this month, buoyed by the imminent arrival of fresh stimulus, the ZEW Center for European Economic Research said on Tuesday.

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi will buy 1.1 trillion euros ($1.3 trillion) of bond purchases to stave off deflation. Consumer prices in the currency bloc fell an annual 0.6 percent in January, far from the ECB's goal of just below 2 percent. Markit said average selling prices in the euro area have been falling continuously for three years, though they declined at a slower pace this month.

Nevertheless, potential financial-market turmoil related to Greece threatens the recovery. Euro-area finance ministers will hold emergency talks with Greek officials Friday amid increasing pressure to find a compromise on maintaining funding to the indebted country.

Markit said its composite PMI for Germany increased to 54.3 in February from 53.5 in January. The gauge is now at its highest in seven months. France's measure rose to 52.2 from 49.3, the highest since August 2011.