The Purchasing Managers Index for the euro-zone manufacturing sector fell to a 22-month low in September, affected by the recent strength of the euro and the crisis in the financial markets.The PMI figures for the euro zone's largest four economies - Germany, France, Italy and Spain - all registered falls in September, with activity affected by the recent strength of the euro and the crisis in the financial markets.
The German PMI measure fell to a 21-month low, while France's PMI was much weaker than forecast, dropping to 50.5, from 52.5 in August. Spain's PMI measure hit a 26-month low and growth also slowed in Italy, with the index falling to a 23-month low.
The measure dropped to 53.2 in September from 54.3 in August.
