Eurozone slowdown

lAtest figures suggest the eurozone’s economy slowed further in April.

According to a survey of economic performance by research firm IHs Markit – where anything above 50 signals growth – the bloc came in with a reading of 51.5 last month, down from 51.6 in March.

Performance is being held up by the services sector, with manufacturing mired in its steepest downturn since 2013. Chris Williamson, IHs Markit’s chief business economist, said: ‘the economy lost momentum at the start of the second quarter and remains worryingly lacklustre.’

Manufacturing performance fell for the third month in a row, IHs said, fuelled by weak demand.

the eurozone has been buffeted by fears about the Us-China trade war, as well as uncertainty surrounding Britain’s exit from the european Union.