India, Oct. 23 -- The euro area private sector returned to negative territory for the first time since June as accelerating growth of manufacturing was offset by a sharp deterioration in the service sector amid rising Covid-19 worries, flash survey data from IHS Markit showed Friday. The composite output index fell to a four-month low of 49.4 in October from 50.4 in September. A score below 50 indicates contraction. The reading was above economists' forecast of 49.3.

The renewed decline raised the possibility that the region could see the economy contract again in the fourth quarter, Markit said.

Manufacturing output growth accelerated to the fastest since February 2018, while the service sector output fell for a second successive month...