The final Eurozone Services Business Activity Index at 52.5 in January, signalled an expansion of the service sector for the fifth consecutive month. Although the index was down from the 25-month high of 53.6 posted in December, it was slightly above the earlier flash estimate of 52.3. France (which recorded the strongest growth), Germany and Italy all reported increased levels of business activity in the first month of 2010, but rates of expansion eased in each of these nations. Meanwhile, the downturns in the Spanish and Irish service sectors continued. Ireland was the weakest performer overall, with its rate of decline accelerating sharply to the quickest since last July. The contraction in Spain was the least marked during the current 25-month period of decline.
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