Lana

So this could just be a blip.

Plus, a smaller private survey actually put the country's PMI above 50.

Europe's measure rose to 52, an increase from January, and the strongest performance for three months.

To add to the good news, the region's unemployment data, which is a bit slower to come out, showed joblessness dropping to an all-time low of 6.1% in January.

America's readings were reassuring too.

The figure for the services sector landed just above 56, the highest level since August 2022, and above analysts' forecasts.

That followed Monday's better-than-expected manufacturing one, which came in above 50 for the second month in a row.

These PMIs give an almost real-time read on whether an economy is speeding up or slowing down, and that's exactly why central banks watch them so closely.

February's figures suggest that the global economy is still headed in the right direction, but that could easily change if conflict in the Middle East continues.

More expensive oil and gas could weigh on the economy and light a fire under inflation at the same time.

That combination is notoriously hard for central banks to handle.

A slowing economy calls for lower interest rates, while rising prices beg for higher ones.

That's it for today.

I'm Lana.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Hey, I'm Lana with your Daily Brief for Saturday, February 28th.

Coming up, fintech firm Block said it'll cut nearly half of its workforce, trusting AI to pick up the slack.

And Netflix backed out of the Warner Bros.

bidding war, leaving Paramount holding the highest offer.

We'll also check in with Carl to get his answers to your burning questions.