"Eurozone Slides Back Into Recession" Says Markit PMI News Release; Sharp Decline in German Export Business; Misguided Decoupling Theories

"Inquiring minds are digging into details of the latest Eurozone releases. The Markit Flash Eurozone PMI® says Eurozone slides back into recession as output falls at stronger rate in March

Both manufacturing output and service sector activity contracted in March, showing the worst performances for three and four months respectively. However, in both cases, the rates of decline were only very modest.

Output rose in Germany, but the rate of growth slowed to a three-month low to show only a marginal gain. Output meanwhile fell slightly in France for the first time in four months, and dropped sharply again in the rest of the region.

• Flash Eurozone PMI Composite Output Index at 48.7 (49.3 in February). 3-month low.
• Flash Eurozone Services PMI Activity Index at 48.7 (48.8 in February). 4-month low.
• Flash Eurozone Manufacturing PMI at 47.7 (49.0 in February). 3-month low.
• Flash Eurozone Manufacturing PMI Output Index at 48.8 (50.3 in February). 3-month low..."

Eurozone PMI vs. GDP

at  http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2012/03/eurozone-slides-back-into-recession.html