European Services Drive Economic Recovery as Demand Rises

Euro-area services growth accelerated to the fastest in more than two years in September as demand and confidence improved.

An index of activity rose to 52.1 from 50.7 in August, London-based Markit Economics said today. A composite gauge of services and manufacturing increased to 52.1 from 51.5. Economists forecast 51.8, based on the median of 25 estimates in a Bloomberg survey. A reading above 50 indicates expansion. In China, factory growth accelerated to the fastest in six months.