Eurozone
business growth cooled in September for a second consecutive month, dropping to
its slowest pace since December, a survey suggests.
The
latest Markit Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 52.3 from
August's 52.5.
A
reading above 50 indicates growth.
Modest
growth in Europe's biggest economy, Germany, provided some cheer, but the
eurozone was brought down by stagnation elsewhere, particularly in France,
where PMI fell to 49.1.
Manufacturing
across the eurozone fared worse than the service sector, with the PMI reading
falling to 50.5, the lowest measure since July of last year.
"The
survey paints a picture of ongoing malaise in the eurozone economy," said
Chris Williamson, Markit's chief economist.
"With
growth of output and
