LONDON—Eurozone business activity hit a near three-year high in April, as a modest economic recovery gained momentum and began creating much-needed jobs. The Eurozone Composite Purchasing Managers Index for April jumped to 54 points from 53.1 in March, the highest reading since May 2011.

BERLIN—Germany’s economy ministry predicts the country’s gross domestic product would expand 0.5 percent this year and 1.7 percent in 2014.

LONDON—A closely watched survey has raised hopes that the laggard of the global economy—the 17-country eurozone—may be growing again. Financial information company Markit said Wednesday that its monthly purchasing managers’ index for the eurozone rose for the fourth month running.

BRUSSELS—New factory orders rose in the European Union in December, compared to November. New orders rose 1.9 percent month-to-month in the 17-member eurozone and 1.3 percent in the 27-member European Union.