German Construction Slips Back into Contraction

The HCOB Germany Construction PMI fell to 44.7 in January 2026 from 50.3 in December, signaling a return to contraction after the first expansion in almost four years. The decline was driven by accelerated downturns in housing and commercial construction, while civil engineering activity continued to expand, rising in six of the past eight months, though slightly slower than December’s near 15-year high. New orders fell further, reflecting weak demand from housing, commercial projects, and local government. On a positive note, employment rose for the third consecutive month at the fastest pace since March 2022, and purchasing activity declined at the slowest rate in over three-and-a-half years. Input cost inflation reached a four-month high, alongside higher subcontractor charges. Despite ongoing challenges, business expectations turned positive for the first time since May 2025, marking the highest confidence since February 2020.