Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli occupation targets bulldozer working to remove rubble of destroyed home in Shebaa.
IRGC sources tell Al Mayadeen that reports of Iranian missile strikes on northern Iraq are false, calling them rumors spread by enemy-linked media.
Trump: Venezuela airspace should be considered 'closed in its entirety'
AFP: Ukraine behind attack on Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers in Black Sea
Sheikh Qassem: We, our allies, the honorable in our nation, our people, and our army will never accept being subservient to the US or 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: They must despair, for whatever they do, this people cannot be defeated or broken, and we shall neither fall nor yield
Sheikh Qassem: Threats neither advance nor delay matters, yet the possibility of war or its absence exists because 'Israel' and the US are weighing their options
Sheikh Qassem: All these threats are simply a form of political pressure after a whole year of efforts proved ineffective
Sheikh Qassem: 'Israel's' 'servants' in Lebanon are few, but they cause problems by obstructing the country’s stability, growth, and liberation alongside the US and 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: Weapons block 'Israel’s' project, and anyone seeking disarmament plays into 'Israel’s' hands

German business activity hits 3-year low, service sector to recession

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 23 Aug 2023 16:08
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

An S&P Global report says that a recession in Germany's service sector likely began in the second quarter of 2023.

  • x
  • VW production line: carmaking is a major industry for the eurozone's biggest economy
    A Volkswagen VW production line in Germany. (AFP)

Preliminary data revealed on Wednesday that Germany's market activities experienced their sharpest decline in over three years during August.

According to S&P Global, the HCOB German Flash Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell from 48.5 in July to 44.7 this month, recording the lowest rate since May 2022, an underperformance from experts' forecasts of 48.3.

At a reading below 50, the numbers indicated continued contraction in activity growth.

Read more: German industrial output plunges again by 1.5% in June

"Any hope that the service sector might rescue the German economy has evaporated," said Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank. "Instead, the service sector is about to join the recession in manufacturing, which looks to have started in the second quarter."

Services business activity contracted for the first time since January as it fell from 52.3 to 47.3.

While the PMI increased to 39.1 this month compared to July's 38.8, the index remained well under the healthy threshold.

As the central bank continues to raise rates, alongside consumer uncertainty and sticky inflation, companies maintained a negative outlook. Pressure further mounted on inflation after enterprises chose to hike prices to keep up with accelerating costs and expenses.

"Services companies seem to feel surprisingly bold jacking up prices at an even quicker rate," de la Rubia added.

Last June, the Eurozone officially announced it had entered a recession. Among the main factors for this financial crisis was the downturn of the bloc's biggest economies, on top of which was Germany.

Read more: Making sense of a self-induced recession in Europe

In its monthly report published on Monday, the Bundesbank said that Germany's economic production is anticipated to "stagnate" in the third quarter of 2023, after consecutive contractions seen in the first two quarters.

“High financing costs will probably continue to weigh on investment. They are also still dampening demand in the construction sector, which is likely to be increasingly reflected in production,” the German bank stated.

Europe's powerhouse is "still lackluster" and "still experiencing a period of weakness," it added.

In July, the country's year-on-year inflation rate fell to 6.2 percent as energy prices began to gradually decline.

But inflation is likely to remain above the ECB's 2 percent target "for longer," mainly due to wage pressures, the bank continued.

  • HCOB
  • Germany
  • Berlin
  • PMI
  • Recession
  • German economy

Most Read

13 elite Israeli troops were wounded in a confrontations in Beit Jinn, Syria.

13 elite Israeli troops wounded in confrontations in southern Syria

  • West Asia
  • 28 Nov 2025
Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham Tabatabai

  • Politics
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah releases the names of the four martyred with Tabatabai

Hezbollah releases the names of the 4 martyred alongside Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 24 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
U.S. F-35 fighter jets fly over José Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Friday, September 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Politics

Venezuela condemns US 'colonial-style' threat to national airspace

Palestinians walk through the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Gaza death toll exceeds 70,000 as Israeli crimes continue

Ireland removes name of former Israeli president from Dublin park
Europe

Ireland removes name of Ex. Israeli regime president from Dublin park

Gazan brothers Jomaa and Fadi Abu Assi, 8 and 9, in an undated photo (Social media)
Politics

Gaza: Two brothers, aged 8 and 9, killed by 'Israel' on their way home

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS