Germany services growth slows in October as demand slips, PMI shows

November 4, 2026 4:00 AM EST

The sun sets behind the skyline in Frankfurt, Germany, October 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

BERLIN, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Germany's ‌services sector ​expanded ​for a second straight month in October, but at a slower pace as new business fell and weaker ‌demand weighed on hiring, a business survey showed on ⁠Wednesday.

• The S&P Global Germany Services PMI Business Activity Index fell to ‌52.5 from 52.9 in ‌September but held well above the 50-point mark separating growth from contraction

• "The recovery in the service sector hit a speed bump ​in October, with the latest PMI survey signalling a loss of momentum as firms recorded a slight softening of demand," ⁠said Phil Smith, economics associate director at S&P Global Market Intelligence

• The S&P Global ​Germany Composite PMI Output Index, which combines services and manufacturing sector data, edged down to 53.4 from ​September's 11-month high of 53.8

• Total ‌new business in the services sector ticked down after rising throughout the third quarter, with firms ⁠citing delayed customer decisions and pressure on household finances. New export business fell for the first time in three months at the quickest ⁠pace since June

• Employment fell for the first time since July, though ​only modestly, and the pace of job losses was the quickest since April

• Cost pressures eased for the first time in four months after ‌fuel discounts were reinstated, while firms raised prices at a slower pace than in September. Still, ‌both input cost and output charge inflation remained elevated by historical ⁠standards

• Business expectations for the ‌year ahead improved ​to their highest since February, with 34% of firms expecting activity to rise

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by ‌Joe Bavier)



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