LONDON (Reuters) -Growth in the euro zone services sector accelerated slightly in September to an eight-month high, although the expansion remained modest with hiring stalling amid a limited improvement in demand, a survey showed.

The HCOB Eurozone Services PMI Business Activity Index rose to 51.3 in September from 50.5 in August, S&P Global reported. That suggested a fourth consecutive month of expansion as readings above 50.0 indicate growth in activity.

“Things are running a little bit more smoothly in the service sector. After almost stagnating in August, business activity picked up more strongly in September,” said Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank.

The recovery was widespread across most of the bloc, with moderate growth in Germany, Italy and Spain. How

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