German economic growth remains sluggish amid near stagnation of manufacturing

Germany's composite Output Index (produced by Markit from its manufacturing and service sector surveys) fell to an eight-month low of 54.0 in March, pointing to a slowdown in economic activity at the end of the first quarter. The survey data are nevertheless still signalling modest, albeit unspectacular, GDP growth of approximately 0.4% in the opening quarter of 2016.