Activity increased in both the dominant services sector and the manufacturing industry Fresh evidence that the eurozone’s economy may finally be heading for a meaningful recovery emerged on Friday, as an influential poll of purchasing managers showed activity rising at its fastest pace in seven months despite the stand-off between Athens and its creditors. February’s flash purchasing managers’ index, compiled by Markit, rose to 53.5, up from 52.6 in January and well above the crucial 50 level that marks an expansion in activity. Falling energy prices , a weaker euro and the announcement of a landmark quantitative easing programme by the European Central Bank have helped lift expectations that after years of sluggish growth the region’s recovery will quicken in 2015. Though concerns linger that political risks emanating from Athens and the EU’s eastern borders will undermine optimism, regional GDP figures for the fourth quarter of 2014 published last […]