Spanish Services PMI rose for the second month running, posting 56.7 in January from 54.3 in the previous month. Analysts were anticipating smaller increase to 54.5. The fifteenth consecutive increase in activity was sharp and the strongest since August 2014. All monitored sectors posted expansions in activity, with the fastest rises seen at Transport & Storage and Financial Intermediation companies.
Strengthening market conditions helped lead to a strong start to the year at Spanish services companies, with growth of both activity and new business accelerating over the month. A second successive monthly rise in backlogs of work was recorded, while firms increased their staffing levels. Falling fuel costs led to a reduction in input prices and output charges continued to decline.
Data did not have any major impact on the markets with euro currently being traded few points above 1.1460 level. Later today, Italian Services PMI and Eurozone
Retail Sales figures will be released.