Growth in Germany’s private sector picked up in February to reach its highest level in nearly three years, driven by humming factories, a survey showed, pointing to a strong first quarter in Europe’s biggest economy.

IHS, which provides data analysis for energy and automotive companies, has agreed to acquire London-based Markit to bulk up in financial services.

Price discounting drove growth in all of the eurozone’s major economies in March, helping business activity increase at its fastest rate for nearly a year, a survey showed yesterday.