A closely-watched gauge of business sentiment across the 17-country euro-zone rose for the first time in three months in December, easing concerns that the region may slip back into recession.
The monthly purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the euro-zone from economic monitoring company Markit rose to 52.1 in December from 51.7 in November. Anything above 50 indicates expansion.
The increase follows two declines and takes the index close to the 27-month peak seen in September.
The euro-zone economy has grown for two quarters following its longest-ever recession. However, growth has stalled and the euro-zone only grew by 0.1% in the third quarter from the previous three-month period.
