Activity in the industrial sector of Germany decreased in September

Germany's industrial sector unexpectedly slowed activity to its lowest level since mid-2009 in September, pointing to a continuing decline in activity. According to IHS Markit, the industrial PMI was 41.4 points, having decreased from the August value of 43.5 points. Economists did not expect the index to fall, they predicted its growth to 44 points. In the services sector, the PMI was at 52.5 points, which is also lower than the index at 54.8 points a month earlier. The September value was the lowest in 9 months. Experts expected it to fall only to 54.3 points. The composite PMI fell below 50 points for the first time since April 2013. Its value was fixed at 49.1 points. In August it was 51.7 points. France reported a decline in the industrial index to 50.3 points from 51.1 points. The PMI of the service sector was the minimum for 4 months 51.6 points, having fallen from the August level of 53.4 points.