
Eurozone Private Sector Contracts for First Time in 16 Months Amid Stagflation Fears
S&P Global's composite PMI fell to 48.6 in April from 50.7 in March, unexpected contraction breaking 15 months of growth. Companies raised prices at the fastest rate in 37 months while input costs surged to levels not seen since end of 2022. The stagflation scenario poses acute dilemma for ECB, which meets April 30.