Euro zone economic growth slowed much more sharply than expected this month, a business survey showed, which along with weaker inflation has intensified concerns there will be no return to the bloc’s recent boom times.
The European Central Bank will end its asset purchase program this year and hike interest rates in 2019, a Reuters poll found last month, although policymakers may be concerned to see inflation easing along with growth.
While the expansion still remained relatively strong, growth slowed to a 20-month low in the bloc’s largest economy, Germany, and the lowest in a year in a half in No. 2 economy France, according to the latest IHS Markit purchasing managers’ surveys.
