Euro zone surveys suggest milder recession in Q2

The scale of the recession in the 16 nations that use the euro appears to have eased in April, a closely-watched survey found Thursday, stoking hopes that growth may start to pick up by the end of the year.

The preliminary purchasing managers index _ an indicator of economic health _ for the euro zone's manufacturing sector rose to a six-month high of 36.7 in April from 33.9 in March. The equivalent index for the services sector jumped to 43.1 from 40.9.

The composite index, which combines the two, also rose to a six-month high of 40.5 in April from 38.3 in March.

Though the indicators suggest the euro zone remains mired in recession, they do …