German business activity growth softens in October, PMI shows

By Maria Martinez

BERLIN, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Germany's private sector growth softened in October as inflows of new work rose only modestly, a preliminary business survey showed on Friday.

The S&P Global Flash Composite PMI Index for Germany fell to 52.8 in October from 53.8 in September, but remained in growth territory for the fourth consecutive month. 

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a reading of 53.3.

The composite index tracks the services and manufacturing sectors that together account for more than two-thirds of the euro zone's largest economy. A reading above the 50 mark signals growth.

"October's flash PMI results encouragingly showed a sustained upturn in business activity across Germany, although a slowdown in growth underscored that the recovery in the euro zone's largest economy remains fragile," said Phil Smith, economics associate director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Factory production continued to rise at a robust pace, with the manufacturing PMI rising to a two-month high of 54.2 from 53.9 in September.  

Services activity meanwhile increased for the second month running but only modestly, with the PMI index at 51.7, down from 52.9 in the previous month. 

New business across the private sector rose only slightly, the survey showed. Demand stalled in services as firms reported delayed customer decisions and tighter client budgets, while manufacturing order growth eased to a three-month low but remained supported by export sales.

The overall rate of inflation in prices charged for goods and services was at a seven-month low, although it was still comfortably higher than its long-run average. 

German firms remained optimistic overall about output over the next 12 months but confidence among services firms rose to its highest since February, while manufacturers' expectations fell to their lowest since July amid concerns over rising input prices.

(Reporting by Maria Martinez; Editing by Toby Chopra)