BRUSSELS, Sept 5, 2007 (AFP) - Service sector activity in the 13 nations sharing the euro slowed only marginally in August but optimism about future business sank to a four and a half year low, according to a survey on Wednesday.

The eurozone purchasing managers index (PMI) for the service sector, compiled by the research group NTC Economics, fell to 58.0 points in August from 58.3 in July, slightly above a provisional estimate of 57.9.

BRUSSELS, Aug 24, 2007 (AFP) - Manufacturing and service sector activity in the 13-nations sharing the euro softened only marginally in August despite concerns of a credit crunch in financial markets, according to a survey on Friday.

First results for NTC Research's survey of business leaders showed a dip to a three-month low of 57.2 points in August, down from 57.5 points in July but still solidly above the 50-point level that indicates expansion.

BRUSSELS, Aug 3, 2007 (AFP) - Service sector activity in the 13-nation eurozone maintained a 12-month high in July, confirming that the sector is currently providing the main stimulus for economic growth, according to a survey published Friday.

The eurozone purchasing managers index (PMI) for the service sector, compiled by the research group NTC Economics, stood at 58.3 in July, unchanged from the previous month but an upward revision from the provisional estimate of 58.1 for June and above market expectations.

A level above 50 indicates sector growth.

DUBAI, Aug 2, 2007 (AFP) - Dubai Aerospace Enterprise announced on Thursday it has bought two aviation service providers from US-based Carlyle Group at a cost of 1.9 billion dollars.

DAE, based in the Gulf emirate of Dubai, said it had completed 'the acquisition of aviation service providers Standard Aero and Landmark Aviation from the Carlyle Group.

PARIS, July 27, 2007 (AFP) - Paris-based European consultancy Capgemini reported more than doubled profits on Friday, and also said it had not been approached by Indian company Infosys Technologies about a possible takeover.

'I have not been approached,' director general Paul Hermelin told a news conference when unveiling the company's first-half results.

Earlier this month India's second-biggest software-maker had said it was exploring possible acquisitions but did not say if Capgemini was among its targets.

PARIS, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - Technip, a French group providing services to the oil industry, raised net profits by slightly more than 90 percent in the first half and said on Thursday that its order book was strong.

Net profit amounted to 147.7 million euros (204 million dollars) of which 79.6 million euros had been generated in the second quarter, far exceeding expectations by analysts at Thomson IBES who had foreseen 72.5 million euros.

Current operating profit more than doubled to 236 million euros from 111.6 million euros 12 months earlier.