Eurozone Dec Manufacturing PMI Revised Down

(RTTNews) - Eurozone's manufacturing activity grew at a slower-than-estimated rate in December, final figures from Markit Economics showed Friday.

The final Eurozone Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, or PMI, edged up to 50.6, less than the 50.8 score estimated initially, from 50.1 in November.

Production increased at the slowest rate in the current one-and-a-half year expansion sequence. New orders recovered marginally after four months of decline.

"The performances of the big-three manufacturing nations remained subdued in December, " Markit said, as the manufacturing sectors in France and Italy continued to contract and that of Germany remained subdued.

Meanwhile, employment levels in the eurozone increased for the fourth consecutive month.

Cost pressures remained on the downside during December, Markit added.