Finance
Euro zone factory growth hit 44-month high in February, PMI shows
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 2, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 2, 2026
Quick Summary
In February 2026, the eurozone manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest pace in 44 months, with the PMI rising to 50.8—its highest since June 2022. Growth was led by Germany’s return to expansion and widespread gains across key economies, though cost pressures intensified amid rising energy pric
Euro Zone Factory Growth Reaches Highest Level in Nearly Four Years
Euro Zone Manufacturing Expansion and Economic Indicators
LONDON, March 2 (Reuters) - Euro zone manufacturing expanded at its fastest pace in nearly four years last month as new orders bounced and factory output rose although rising cost pressures squeezed margins, a survey showed on Monday.
PMI Data and Survey Results
The HCOB Eurozone Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, compiled by S&P Global, climbed to 50.8 in February from 49.5 in January, marking its highest reading since June 2020 and the first time above the 50 threshold since August.
Understanding PMI Readings
PMI readings higher than 50.0 indicate growth in activity.
Country-Specific Performance
"This seems to be a broad-based recovery of the euro zone manufacturing sector, with six out of the eight surveyed countries now in growth territory," said Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank.
Drivers of the Upturn
The upturn was driven by the strongest rise in new orders since April 2022, with demand in positive territory for only the second time in nearly four years. Factory output also expanded for the 11th time in 12 months, reaching a six-month high.
Leading and Lagging Economies
Germany led the recovery by returning to growth for the first time in three-and-a-half years. Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland and Greece also posted solid expansions.
France was the only major economy to slow, with manufacturing broadly stalling after January's solid upturn, while Spain stagnated and Austria saw a marginal deterioration.
Export Orders and Inflationary Pressures
Export orders remained weak but contracted at the mildest pace in three months, suggesting demand was stabilising.
Rising Input Costs and Prices
However, inflationary pressures intensified sharply. Input costs rose at the fastest rate in 38 months as companies reported higher energy prices.
Manufacturers raised their selling prices at the steepest pace since March 2023.
Business Confidence and Employment Trends
Despite the challenges, business confidence surged to a four-year high with companies more optimistic about year-ahead growth prospects.
Factory Employment
Factory employment continued to decline across the euro zone, extending a trend since June 2023, though the pace of job losses moderated.
(Reporting by Jonathan Cable; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Key Takeaways
- •Euro zone Manufacturing PMI climbed to 50.8 in February, marking the strongest reading since June 2022 and the first expansion since August 2025. (euronews.com)
- •Germany’s manufacturing led the recovery, with its PMI rising above 50.0 for the first time in over 3½ years; composite activity hit 53.1. (euronews.com)
- •Input costs surged at one of the fastest rates in nearly three years, driven by rising energy prices, even as business confidence climbed to multi‑year highs. (euronews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Euro zone factory growth hit 44-month high in February, PMI shows
1What is the latest Euro zone manufacturing PMI reading?
The Euro zone manufacturing PMI rose to 50.8 in February, its highest since June 2020 and the first reading above 50 since August.
2Which countries contributed most to Euro zone factory growth?
Germany led the recovery, returning to growth, with Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Greece also posting expansions.
3Did cost pressures affect Euro zone factories in February?
Yes, input costs rose at the fastest rate in 38 months, largely due to higher energy prices, squeezing manufacturers' margins.
4How did business confidence and employment trend in the Euro zone?
Business confidence surged to a four-year high, while factory employment continued to decline, though job losses moderated.
5How did export orders perform in the Euro zone manufacturing sector?
Export orders remained weak but contracted at the mildest pace in three months, indicating demand stabilization.
