Private sector manufacturing and services output hit three-month highs each across the euro-zone in November, but a two-speed pattern was increasingly evident, a key survey showed yesterday.

The big three economies of Germany, France and Italy led progress but Ireland posted only modest growth and the figures for Spain indicated a third successive month of contraction, according to the purchasing managers’ index (PMI).

The indicator of industrial and services activity rose to 55.5 points in November after falling to 53.8 points in October, which was an eight-month low. Any reading above 50 points signals growth.

“The final eurozone PMIs highlight the dilemma facing policymakers at the European Central Bank due to growing variations in economic recoveries within the region,” said Chris Williamson, chief economist at the London-based Markit researchers who compile the index. He said the weaker economies “remain deeply dependent upon life support in the form of ultra-low interest rates and central bank liquidity,” pointing to Spain “showing further signs of double-dip recession” and “Ireland barely managing to stagnate”.