Spanish Services PMI strengthened during December to a reading of 54.3, from November’s 52.7, beating expectations on an incline to 52.9. Monthly growth has now been recorded for fourteen successive months, with latest data showing that the Financial Intermediation and Transport & Storage sectors were the best performers.
Business activity continued to increase during December, and at a faster rate as new business grew at the sharpest pace for four months. Employment increased marginally as a result. Meanwhile, optimism regarding the future was the highest in nearly seven years as companies expressed confidence over the sustainability of the recent economic recovery.
Data did not have any larger impact on the markets with euro adding just few points currently being traded around 1.1930 level. Later today, Italian Services PMI figures are scheduled for a release.