The euro area private sector activity expanded at the weakest pace since January of last year, flash survey data from Markit showed Monday.
The flash composite Purchasing Managers' Index dropped to 52.7 in February from 53.6 in January. It was forecast to fall slightly to 53.5 in February.
The services PMI came in at a 13-month low of 53 versus 53.6 a month ago. Economists had expected the indicator to remain unchanged at 53.6.
The PMI for manufacturing slid to 51 from 52.3 in January. The expected score was 52.
"Disappointing PMI survey data for February greatly increase the odds of more aggressive stimulus from the ECB in March," Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, said.
"Economic growth is likely to slow below 0.3% in the first quarter unless we see a sudden uplift in March, which on the basis of the forward-looking components of the PMI seems unlikely," Williamson added.
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