France Composite PMI2012-2021 Data | 2022-2023 Forecast | Calendar | Historical

The IHS Markit France Composite PMI was revised slightly lower to 51.6 in April of 2021 from a preliminary estimate of 51.7 and compared with March's 50. The latest reading pointed to the first expansion in private sector activity for eight months, following a period of subdued performance amid COVID-19 restrictions. Manufacturing growth held near record levels (PMI at 58.9 vs 59.3 in March) and services activity posted a slight fresh increase (PMI at 50.3 vs 48.2). New business increased for the second month running, with the rate of growth accelerating to the quickest since July 2020. Also, employment rose for the fourth straight month, although the rate of growth eased. Looking forward, optimism towards the 12-month business outlook was the strongest since February 2018.

The IHS Markit France Composite PMI rose to 51.7 in April of 2021 from 50 in the previous month and beating market expectations of 48.8, a flash estimate showed. The latest reading pointed to a modest pace of expansion in the private sector but the fastest since July of 2020, following a period of subdued performance amid COVID-19 restrictions. Manufacturing growth held near record levels (PMI at 59.2 vs 59.3 in March) and services activity posted a fresh increase (PMI at 50.4 vs 48.2). New business, exports and employment continued to expand solidly. On the price front, input costs continued to rise sharply amid further reports of severe global raw material shortages. Finally, business sentiment was the strongest since February 2018, as firms were confident of a strong economic recovery once COVID-19 restrictions are fully relaxed.

The IHS Markit France Composite PMI was revised higher to 50 in March of 2021 from a preliminary estimate of 49.5 and compared with February's 47. The latest reading signalled a stabilisation in private sector output that ended a six-month sequence of contraction. The fastest expansion in manufacturing activity since September 2000 (PMI at 59.3 vs 56.1) contrasted with another contraction in the services sector although the softest for three months (PMI at 48.2 vs 47.8). New business rose for the first time in seven months while exports and employment continued to expand sharply. Looking forward, firms remained optimistic towards the one-year business outlook, although the degree of positivity softened from February.

The IHS Markit France Composite PMI rose to 49.5 in March of 2021 from 47 in the previous month and beating market expectations of 47.2, a flash estimate showed. The latest reading pointed to a seventh straight contraction in private sector activity but the smallest since December, despite ongoing coronavirus restrictions. Manufacturing growth hit a 39-month high (PMI at 58.8 vs 56.1 in February) while service providers posted a smaller decline (PMI at 47.8 vs 45.6). New orders stabilized, ending a six-month sequence in which demand conditions had deteriorated; and export orders grew for the second month running and the fastest rate for just over three years. On the price front, input prices continued to increase with the rate of inflation accelerating to the quickest since May 2019, amid reports of widespread shortages of raw materials. Finally, business sentiment remained strong overall, as firms expect an improvement in demand once COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed.