By William L. Watts
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Activity in the euro-zone manufacturing sector expanded at its slowest pace in four months in June, according to the final reading of the Markit purchasing managers index for the month released Thursday. Manufacturing PMI came in at 55.6, matching a preliminary estimate and falling slightly from 55.8 in May. A reading of more than 50 indicates a rise in activity, while a figure of less than 50 signals a contraction. "The second quarter most likely represents a peaking in the rate of expansion of manufacturing output, as growth slows in coming months as stimulus-driven tailwinds are replaced by mounting headwinds," said Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit.
