Frankfurt

THE euro area has entered a year of solid economic growth that may see companies expanding capacity to meet increasing demand, Markit Economics said.

A Purchasing Managers' Index for manufacturing and services unexpectedly rose to 54.3 in December from 54.2 in November, compared with a Dec 16 estimate for a drop to 54, the London-based company said. The data suggest growth in the final quarter of 2015 was the fastest in 4 1/2 years, according to the report.