By William L. Watts
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Private-sector activity across the 17-nation euro zone saw slower growth in March, according to the final reading of the Markit purchasing managers index released Tuesday. The index declined to 57.6, down from a four-and-a-half year high of 58.2 in February but above a preliminary reading of 57.5. A reading of more than 50 indicates growth in activity, while a reading of less than 50 signals a contraction. All countries saw a slower pace of growth than in February, but France and Germany continued to see strong increases in manufacturing- and service-sector output, Markit said. Peripheral nations remained weak, with output growth slowing sharply in Ireland, while Spain fell into a services-led contraction and the downturn in Greek manufacturing continued, the data showed.
