Growth slowdown spurs call for ECB stimuli

A gauge of euro-area services and manufacturing signaled economic growth slowed in the final quarter of 2014, supporting calls for more stimulus by the European Central Bank.

A Purchasing Managers’ Index for both industries rose to 51.4 from 51.1 in November, London-based Markit Economics said.

While that’s above the 50 mark that divides expansion from contraction, the reading falls short of a preliminary reading of 51.7 published on December 16.