Euro-zone downturn eases in December: PMI data

LONDON (MarketWatch)
The downturn in the euro-zone economy eased in December, as output in Germany returned to growth for the first time in eight months, data from Markit showed on Friday
The preliminary reading of the euro-zone purchasing managers' composite output index rose to 47.3 in December from 46.5 in November, marking a nine-month high
A reading below 50 indicates contraction
In Germany, the composite output index rose to 50.5 in December, up from 49.2 in November, while the manufacturing PMI reading however, slipped to a two-month low of 46.3
 "The euro-zone downturn showed further signs of easing in December, adding to hopes that the outlook for next year is brightening," said Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, in the release
"It looks like the downturn reached its fiercest back in October," he said