India, March 22 -- Germany's private sector grew at its slowest pace in nearly six years, led by a sharp decline in manufacturing, flash data from IHS Markit revealed on Friday.
The composite output index fell to a 69-month low of 51.5 in March from 52.8 in February. Economists had forecast a rise of 52.7.
Any reading above 50 indicates an expansion in the sector.
The flash services Purchasing Managers' Index dropped to 54.9 in March from 55.3 in February. Economists had expected the index to ease to 54.8.
The flash manufacturing PMI dropped more-than-expected to 44.7 in March from 47.6 In February. The reading was the lowest in six-and-a-half years. Economists had forecast the reading to rise 48.0.
Manufacturing output PMI also fell t...