France May Slip Back Into Recession

FRANKFURT — Hopes that the euro zone could be emerging from years of torpor suffered another setback on Thursday when an indicator of economic activity in the region slipped unexpectedly and suggested that France could be sliding back into recession.

Euro zone crisis: German economy slows to 'near-stagnation,' PMI survey shows

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Germany, the largest economy in the euro zone, slowed to “near-stagnation” in March, according to data released Thursday that showed the euro-area recession had deepened.