France's service sector contracted faster than first estimated in January, with business activity declining for the fifth consecutive month amid persistent demand weakness and political uncertainty, a survey reported on Wednesday.

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's private sector activity expanded for a fourth straight month in January but only modestly and at a slower pace than in December, a survey showed on Wednesday. The Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) slipped to 50.5 in January from 50.6 a month earlier. Readings above 50.0 signal an expansion in activity.

Euro zone business activity returned to growth at the start of the year after two months of contraction as demand stabilised, a survey showed today.