An indicator of eurozone manufacturing health showed a slowing of expansion across the currency area in March.
The eurozone manufacturing purchasing managers' index produced by London-based researchers Markit fell from February's 10-year peak of 59.0, hitting 57.5 in March, the group reported on April 1.
While that was lower than expected, any score above 50.0 indicates growth.
Manufacturing output, new orders and new export orders all expanded for the 20th consecutive month.
Markit chief economist Chris Williamson said the data was "consistent with industrial production growing at a quarterly rate of two percent."
Germany notched up record job growth for the survey's 13-year history, but Spain and Greece continue to shed employment.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2011
