Eurozone business growth slows as Asia weakens

Eurozone business growth slowed this month as Asian demand weakened, leading to fewer new jobs and forcing factories to reduce output, even though companies raised prices for the first time in over four years, a survey showed yesterday.

The slowdown came amid debate on whether the ECB should expand its stimulus programme to have more impact on inflation and growth.

Markit’s Composite Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, based on surveys of thousands of companies and considered a good guide to growth, came in at 53.9 in September, down from 54.3 last month.