The PMI index relating to the services of the the euro area dated December a 47,8 points, from 46,7 in November. It's about the highest level in the last five months, however the sector is maintained below the threshold of 50 pointswhich marks the boundary between expansion and contraction. The indicator is developed by the Markit research centre.
The expectations sub-index stood at 52,5 points (50,6 in November), against the 52,6 of the preliminary estimate. As for the final composite PMI for December, it came in just below the flash estimate of 47,3, at 47,2, up from 46,5 in November and the highest since last March.
In Italy, the PMI services index rose to 45,6 points, from 44,6 in November, better than expectations, which were for a more limited progress at 45 points. In Germany the same index rose to 52 points from 49,7 in November, while estimates spoke of a rise to 52,1 points. In France, on the other hand, there was a drop to 45,2 points from 45,8 the previous month, but expectations were for a rise to 46 points. Finally, in Spain the PMI services index rose to 44,3 points from 42,4 in November.
