The French private sector activity decelerated in February to the lowest level since March 2009. The flash composite output index fell to 42.3 from 42.7 in January. The steeper fall in overall output was driven by an accelerated decline in the service sector, where activity contracted at the fastest pace in four years. The flash services Purchasing Managers' Index came in at 42.7, down from 43.6 in January, and below the expected reading of 44.4.