The HCOB Germany Services PMI eased to 50.1 in August 2025 from a four-month high of 50.6 in July and below analysts' forecasts of 50.3, flash estimates showed. The latest reading pointed to near-stagnant growth, reflecting a slight drop in new business intakes following a brief rise recently. Employment rose modestly, maintaining a monthly upward trajectory since the beginning of the year, while outstanding business dropped sharply and more quickly. On the price front, both input costs - likely driven by rising wages - and output price inflation accelerated. Lastly, firms generally remained optimistic about the year-ahead outlook, with sentiment still slightly above its historical trend level, but confidence ticked down.