Europe's economic recovery is showing dangerous signs of falling flat after another disappointing set of data from the single currency.

September's combined Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) of the services and manufacturing sector fell to 53.6, from 54.3 in August. This suggests momentum has petered out after a spike in activity over the summer.

The weak numbers all but guarantee the European Central Bank will be pushed into further stimulus measures, ramping up its €1 trillion quantitative easing programme.

Economists suggest an announcement on more QE could be due at the end of the year.