Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
The Markit Flash Eurozone PMI slipped to a 16-month low of 52.9 in May, down from 53.0 in April. Weak PMI data suggests that economic growth has likely slowed in the second quarter. Flash Eurozone Services PMI Activity Index was at 53.1, unchanged from April, while the Manufacturing PMI stood at 51.5 a 3-month low, compared to 51.7 in April.
May Flash PMI reinforced the picture of subdued growth of eurozone economic activity, with few signs of any imminent improvement. Weak data in the latest two months suggest that euro zone economic growth has likely slowed in the second quarter.
Intra-regional trends showed accelerations in France and Germany. overall pace of expansion in Germany reached its highest since the end of last year. France also continued its shift out of stagnation, with economic output rising at the fastest pace for seven months. However, outside of the big-two nations, the rate of expansion cooled to a 17-month low.
"A disappointing flash eurozone PMI for May adds further to the suggestion that the robust pace of economic growth seen in the first quarter will prove temporary. The PMI is signalling lacklustre GDP growth of only 0.3% in the second quarter." said Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit.
