Eurozone economic prospects may have brightened slightly after months of relentlessly weak economic data, a widely-watched survey suggests.

The eurozone manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose in June for the first time in five months, according to NTC research, which compiles the survey. Although the index remained below 50, indicating a marginal deterioration in the health of the manufacturing sector, the rise from 48.7 in May to 49.9 suggested that the rate of decline has slowed.