The purchasing managers index for France's services sector fell to 54.9 in September from 55.2 in August, market sources said Wednesday. That indicates the sector grew for the twenty-seventh straight month, but at a slower pace than in August. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires last week forecast the PMI would fall to 55.0. A reading above 50.0 indicates the sector is expanding, while a reading below 50.0 indicates it is contracting.