Manufacturing and services in the 18-nation euro area barely expanded in December as sluggish growth in Germany and France kept business activity subdued.
Markit Economics said a composite index for manufacturing and services rose to 51.7 from 51.1 in November, just above the 51.5 level forecast by economists in a Bloomberg survey. A reading exceeding 50 indicates expansion. A factory gauge increased to 50.8 from 50.1, while a measure for services rose to 51.9 from 51.1.
