ROME: Italy's services sector grew marginally in June after stagnating the month before, a survey showed on Wednesday, pointing to sluggish expansion at best for the euro zone's third-largest economy.
The IHS Markit Business Activity Index for services rose to 50.5 in June from 50.0 in May, climbing back above the 50 threshold that separates growth from contraction.
The data was slightly better than expected. A Reuters survey of 13 analysts had forecast a second consecutive reading of 50.0.
The sub-index for new business in the service sector rose to 50.6 from a four-year low of 49.2 in May.
IHS Markit's sister survey for manufacturing, published on Monday, showed activity contracting for a ninth month running in June and by slightly more than expected.
The composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for services and manufacturing edged up in June to 50.1 from 49.9, pointing to economic stagnation as reflected in recent gross domestic product figures.
The economy eked out growth of 0.1% in the first quarter from the previous three months, emerging from a shallow recession during the second half of last year.
National statistics bureau ISTAT has warned that the second quarter could show the economy contracting again.
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