German Private-Sector Activity Drops as Iran War Fuels Inflation

German private-sector activity declined more than anticipated as cost pressures spiked due to fighting in the Middle East.

S&P Global’s Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index dropped to 51.9 in March from 53.2 the previous month — remaining above the 50 threshold separating expansion from contraction. Analysts had expected a decline to 52.2.