BRUSSELS, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Latest European Union (EU) sector purchasing managers' index (PMI) data issued on Monday by Markit showed that manufacturers generally outperformed their service sector counterparts in December 2016.
Six out of the seven fastest-growing detailed sectors were based in manufacturing.
Forestry and paper products finished 2016 as the top-ranked detailed sector, with production rising at a series-record pace.
Banks is the only service-related sector in top seven, ranking second.
Basic materials and consumer goods were the best-performing broad categories, whereas consumer services and healthcare signaled the weakest growth.
Household and personal use products, chemicals and automobiles and auto parts also made it in the top five.
At the other end of the spectrum, beverages was the worst-performing manufacturing sector, ending the year third from bottom in the league table.
Across 2016 as a whole, the rankings were much more balanced. Autos and auto parts was the top performer on average, followed by banks. Other financials, beverages and technology equipment rounded out the top five.
Construction and engineering was the year's worst performer, with its average Output Index pointing to overall stagnation.
