Eurozone growth indicator shows slowdown

(BRUSSELS) - Eurozone recovery slowed in December, according to first estimates on Thursday from the purchasing managers' leading index (PMI).

The indicator of industrial and services activity dropped to a two-month low level of 55 points against 55.5 in November following three sucessive months of slowdown -- 56.2 in August, 54.1 in September, 53.8 in October.

The indicator of industrial and services activity rose to 55.5 points in November after falling to 53.8 points in October, which was an eight-month low.

But the December indicator remained above 50 points, which signals growth.

Services slowed down to a two-month low of 53.7 against 55.4 in November.

But manufacturing climbed strongly to post an eight-month high of 56.8 points against 55.3 in November.