The downturn in the manufacturing sector has been led by Germany, home to companies including Mercedes-Benz TIM GRAHAM/GETTY IMAGESThe eurozone’s economy expanded this month despite a weak manufacturing sector, a closely watched survey has suggested. IHS Markit’s purchasing managers’ index, which is considered to be a good guide to economic health, rose to a seven-month high of 51.6, up from 51.5 in May but below economists’ forecasts of 51.7. The survey is based on information provided by 5,000 companies in the manufacturing and services sectors across the 19-strong eurozone group. Growth was driven by the services sector, which had its sharpest rise in business activity since November last year and helped to offset a downturn in manufacturing. Slowing global demand, trade disputes and uncertainty about Brexit are weighing on the manufacturing sector, where output has fallen for…

Source: The Times June 21, 2019 22:52 UTC