Eurozone economy rises to its highest level since July 2000

Data released by the Markit survey showed today that the composite Purchasing Managers' Index, which combines the industrial and service sectors in the euro zone, rose to 60.6 points in July, compared to 59.5 points in June, the highest level since July 2000.

The index measuring the output that feeds the composite PMI fell to 60.9 points in July from 62.6 points in June, and the composite future production PMI fell to 67.8 points in July from 71.9 points in June, its lowest level since February. The services purchasing managers' index rose to 60.4 points in July compared to 58.3 points in June, the highest level since June 2006, while the manufacturing purchasing managers' index fell to 62.6 points in July from 63.4 points in June.