23.04.202608:00:00UTC+00Eurozone Services Activity Slips Back Into Contraction in April, HCOB PMI Falls to 47.4

Eurozone service-sector activity weakened in April 2026, slipping back into contraction territory, according to the latest HCOB Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). The index fell to 47.4 in April from 50.2 in March, marking a notable reversal after briefly moving above the 50.0 threshold that separates expansion from contraction.

The March reading of 50.2 had signaled marginal growth in the euro area’s services economy, but April’s drop below 50.0 points to renewed pressures on the sector. The downturn suggests softer demand conditions and could raise concerns about the resilience of the region’s recovery momentum in the second quarter.

The updated data, released on 23 April 2026, will likely be closely watched by investors and policymakers as they assess the underlying strength of the eurozone economy and its services-driven growth prospects in the months ahead.