Mumbai, May 6 -- Germany's services sector slipped into contraction in April 2026, marking the first decline in business activity in eight months, according to the latest PMI data. The S&P Global Germany Services PMI Business Activity Index dropped to 46.9 from 50.9 in March, falling below the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction. It also signalled the fastest decline since November 2022.
The downturn was driven by weakening demand, with new business falling for the second consecutive month and at the sharpest pace since January 2024. Export orders also declined significantly, recording the steepest drop in seven months. Firms widely linked the slowdown to uncertainty and inflation pressures arising from the ongoing Middle East c...