Financial News: French Private Sector Shrinks Most Since 2020

French Private Sector Shrinks Most Since 2020

05/21/2026 - 05:06:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - France's private sector contracted at the sharpest pace in five-and-a-half years in May, flash survey data from S&P Global revealed Thursday.

The flash composite output index dropped to 43.5 in May from 47.6 in the prior month. This was the lowest score since November 2020 and also stayed below forecast of 47.7.

The survey showed an accelerated decline in services activity accompanied by a fresh fall in manufacturing output.

The services Purchasing Managers' Index dropped unexpectedly to 42.9 in May from 46.5 in the prior month. The score was seen at 46.6.

The manufacturing PMI posted 48.9 compared to 52.8 in the prior month. The reading was expected to fall moderately to 52.1.

"Alarmingly, we saw private sector new orders plummet in May, giving us a clear indication that this shock has materially lifted recession risks for the eurozone's second-largest economy," S&P Global Market Intelligence Principal Economist Joe Hayes said.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

Swedish Jobless Rate Falls To 8.7% In April (04 min(s), 30 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Sweden's jobless rate decreased in April after rising to a 10-month high in the pr ...Full Story»

French Private Sector Shrinks Most Since 2020 (45 min(s), 30 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - France's private sector contracted at the sharpest pace in five-and-a-half years i ...Full Story»

Dutch Consumer Confidence Weakest In Over 3 Yeras; Jobless Rate Falls To 8-month Low (01 hr(s), 01 min(s), 30 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Consumers in the Netherlands remained more negative in May, while the unemployment rat ...Full Story»

Indian Private Sector Growth Remains Strong In May (02 hr(s), 16 min(s), 30 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - India's private sector activity continued to expand strongly in May, though the pa ...Full Story»

Australia Jobless Rate Highest Since 2021 (03 hr(s), 31 min(s), 30 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Australia's unemployment rate rose to the highest since 2021 in April, data from t ...Full Story»

Japan Core Machinery Orders Slump 9.4% In March (11 min(s), 30 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The value of core machinery orders in Japan was down a seasonally adjusted 9.4 percent ...Full Story»

Japan Trade Surplus Y301.9 Billion In April (05 min(s), 30 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Japan posted a merchandise trade surplus of 301.9 billion yen in April, the Ministry o ...Full Story»

Australia Manufacturing PMI Fades In May - S&P Global (43 min(s), 30 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The manufacturing sector in Australia continued to expand in May, albeit at a slower p ...Full Story»