FOREX TradingCharts.com

Financial News: French Private Sector Downturn Deepens

French Private Sector Downturn Deepens

02/21/2025 - 05:08:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - France's private sector registered a deeper contraction in February as the drag from the service sector intensified, survey results from S&P Global revealed Friday.

The HCOB flash composite output index dropped unexpectedly to 44.5 in February from 47.6 in January. The score signaled the steepest fall since September 2023. The reading was seen at 48.0.

There were marked contractions in output across both manufacturing and services but the latest fall in composite activity entirely reflects the worsening performance of the services sector.

The services Purchasing Managers' Index slid to a 17-month low of 44.5 from 48.2 in January, while it was forecast to climb to 48.8.

Meanwhile, the manufacturing PMI hit a nine-month high of 45.5 in February, up from 45.0 in January. The reading was expected to rise moderately to 45.3.

Both sectors reported lower client demand in February. Lower footfall, weak confidence in the outlook and investment reticence also dampened sales. February's more rapid decrease in new business placed a greater onus on existing work to support activity. Backlogged orders decreased the most in 15 months and companies reduced their employment levels at the steepest pace since August 2020.

On the price front, the survey showed that input prices grew at the strongest pace since last August. Prices charged for goods and services rose only fractionally.

The survey showed that companies were broadly neutral as expectations of lower manufacturing production were accompanied by a subdued level of optimism across services.

Hamburg Commercial Bank Economist Tariq Kamal Chaudhry said, "Recession with no end in sight." "This fresh setback for the French economy perhaps comes as a surprise, given the recent allaying of some political uncertainty in the country," said Chaudhry.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS


Fed's Daly Says Policymakers Can Wait For More Clarity Around Trade Policies (39 min(s), 28 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The Federal Reserve can make more reductions as projected earlier but policymakers sho ...Full Story»

Slovenian Producer Prices Rise 1.2% (56 min(s), 28 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Slovenia's producer prices increased for the second straight month in March, figur ...Full Story»

Italy Construction Output Grows Most In 6 Months (24 min(s), 28 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Italy's construction output expanded for the second straight month in February and ...Full Story»

Italy Trade Surplus Shrinks In February (29 min(s), 28 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Italy's foreign trade surplus decreased in February from a year ago as imports gre ...Full Story»

Moldova Producer Price Inflation Rises To 4.7% (42 min(s), 28 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Moldova's producer prices increased for the third straight month in March and at a ...Full Story»

Malaysia Economic Growth Eases, Trade Surplus Grows (32 min(s), 28 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Malaysian economic growth eased further in the first quarter of 2025 amid a contractio ...Full Story»

Japan Nationwide Inflation Climbs 3.6% On Year In March (15 min(s), 28 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Overall consumer prices in Japan were up 3.6 percent on year in March, the Ministry of ...Full Story»

Japan Inflation Data Due On Friday (41 min(s), 28 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Japan will on Friday release March figures for national consumer prices, highlighting ...Full Story»

Search

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

Fed's Daly Says Policymakers Can Wait For More Clarity Around Trade Policies

04/18/2025 - 16:02 PM (RTTNews)
(RTTNews) - The Federal Reserve can make more reductions as projected earlier but policymakers sho ...Full Story>>

Slovenian Producer Prices Rise 1.2%

04/18/2025 - 07:19 AM (RTTNews)
(RTTNews) - Slovenia's producer prices increased for the second straight month in March, figur ...Full Story>>

Italy Construction Output Grows Most In 6 Months

04/18/2025 - 06:47 AM (RTTNews)
(RTTNews) - Italy's construction output expanded for the second straight month in February and ...Full Story>>

Italy Trade Surplus Shrinks In February

04/18/2025 - 04:52 AM (RTTNews)
(RTTNews) - Italy's foreign trade surplus decreased in February from a year ago as imports gre ...Full Story>>

Moldova Producer Price Inflation Rises To 4.7%

04/18/2025 - 04:05 AM (RTTNews)
(RTTNews) - Moldova's producer prices increased for the third straight month in March and at a ...Full Story>>

Do not sell my personal information

Copyright © 2025. All market data is provided by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided "as is" and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice. To see all exchange delays and terms of use, please see disclaimer.