The euro zone's manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest pace in nearly six years during May, a closely watched indicator of activity found today, according to sources. The euro zone manufacturing sector purchasing managers' index rose to a seasonally adjusted 57.0 in May from April's unrevised 56.7, sources said. The rise was unexpected. Analysts polled by AFX News had predicted a modest decline to 56.5. The latest reading is the highest since August 2000. A reading above 50 signals that the sector is expanding and today's survey means that the sector has registered growth for the 11th consecutive month. A more detailed look at the survey found that the output component rose to 59.5 in May from April's 59.3. The employment component also rose to 52.1 from 51.8 but the new orders sub-index slipped to 58.9 from 59.5. Elsewhere, the input prices sub-index rose to 71.1, its highest since November 2004, from April's 65.5, while the output prices component increased to a new survey high of 55.6 from 54.8.