The European economic engine, German manufacturing, is not really looking to take off. The monthly purchasing managers' index, a key temperature gauge, unexpectedly fell in December to 47.7, from 48.2 in November.
In contrast, the index for the French manufacturing industry rose, from 47.8 in November to 50.6 in December.
For the euro area as a whole, the manufacturing PMI fell slightly, from 49.6 to 49.2.
However, the services sector remains above the 50 mark, albeit in decline. The Eurozone services index fell from 53.6 to 52.6.
An index above 50 is considered to indicate growth.
