Eurozone business activity slips slightly in May

BRUSSELS, May 22 (AFP): Eurozone business activity slipped slightly in May but held near a three-year high, suggesting a modest economic recovery remains on track, a closely watched survey showed on Thursday.

However the report also highlighted continuing problems for France, lagging further behind powerhouse Germany which goes from strength to strength, analysts said.

"Relatively reassuring for the Eurozone overall but certainly not for France," said Howard Archer at IHS Global Insight. Markit Economics said its Eurozone Composite Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for May slipped to 53.9 points from 54 in April.