Berlin - The euro zone economy slowed in September, with a key business indicator released Tuesday slumping to a nine-month low.
The purchasing managers index (PMI) for the currency bloc's manufacturing and service sectors edged down to a lower-than-forecast reading of 52.3 this month, from 52.5 in August, the London-based Markit research group said.
Analysts surveyed by dpa-AFX had expected the PMI to have stabilised at the August level.
A reading above 50 indicates economic expansion.
“The survey paints a picture of ongoing malaise in the euro zone economy,” said Markit chief economist Chris Williamson. - Sapa-dpa