India, Feb. 21 -- Germany's private sector growth picked up in February as services activity showed a steady expansion and manufacturing contracted at the slowest pace in two years, flash survey data from S&P Global revealed Friday. The flash composite output index came in at 51.0 in February, up from 50.5 in January. This was the highest reading in nine months and was above forecast of 50.8. A score above 50.0 indicates expansion in the sector.
There was a sustained upturn in the services sector, where business activity climbed for three successive months. The services Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 52.2 from 52.5. The score was slightly below economists' forecast of 52.4.
Manufacturing continued to weigh on the overall performance b...