Growth in the eurozone economy fell slightly in December, according to a closely watched survey.
The Markit purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the eurozone economy fell from 54.2 in November to 54 in December. Any figure above 50 indicates growth.
In the final three months of the year, Markit said the eurozone economy saw its fastest quarterly growth in four years. While the bloc’s services sector grew at its fastest monthly pace since November 2010.
There was more positive news in the manufacturing sector, which saw growth rise to its fastest pace in 20 months. Such was the growth in the sector that it actually outpaced services for the first time in a year.
Markit said that its survey suggests that the eurozone economy will grow by 0.4% in the final quarter, and 1.5% for the whole of 2015.