Bloomberg The euro area’s two largest economies saw private-sector growth return, snapping months of contractions as easing supply shocks and an unusually mild winter provide respite. S&P Global’s flash Purchasing Managers’ Index for Germany rose to 51.1 in February — much better than the 50.3 median estimate in a Bloomberg survey and the first time since June that the …

Bloomberg Microsoft Corp. headed into a showdown with European Union antitrust watchdogs by insisting its $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard Inc. will “bring more competition” for gamers but pledging to show willingness to address antitrust concerns. “I think we’ll make clear that our acquisition of Activision Blizzard will bring more games to more people on more devices and platforms …

  Bloomberg Europe’s biggest economies beat expectations as business activity returned to growth, boosting the chances they can stave off recessions. Gauges of private output in Germany and France both signaled expansion in February after pullbacks in January, while the UK’s purchasing managers’ index showed the first positive reading in six months — jumping to 53 from 48.5. In the …