France Industrial Output Posts Surprise Fall

Industrial production in France fell by 0.1% month-on-month in May 2026, beating market expectations of a 0.4% decline, following a 0.3% increase in the previous month. Production contracted more sharply in manufacturing (-1.0% vs. -0.4% in April), weighed down by declines in the manufacture of transport equipment (-2.8% vs. 3.3%) and coke and refined petroleum products (-9.0% vs. 0.6%), while the contraction in machinery and equipment production deepened (-2.3% vs. -0.4%). Additionally, activity declined in mining and quarrying (-0.6% vs. 2.2%), while growth in water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation services eased (0.9% vs. 1.0%). In contrast, output rebounded sharply in electricity, gas, steam, and air-conditioning supply (3.4% vs. -1.1%). On an annual basis, industrial production rose 3.2% in May, following an upwardly revised 2.9% increase in the previous month.

Industrial production in France edged up by 0.1% month-on-month in April 2026, defying market expectations of a 0.2% fall but slowing from an upwardly revised 1.4% rise in the previous month. Manufacturing output eased to 0.4% from 1.3% in March, as production of agri-food products stalled after a 1.1% rise, while output for electrical, electronic and computer equipment, and machinery fell to 0.4% from a 1.2% gain, and growth in other industrial products slowed to 0.1% from 1.1%. In contrast, stronger gains were recorded in the manufacturing of coke and refined petroleum products (6.6% vs 6.5%) and transport equipment (3.3% vs 2.2%). Overall industrial activity was also weighed down by a decline in extractive industries, energy and water (-0.9% vs 1.6%), particularly electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply (-1.1% vs 1.8%). On a yearly basis, industrial production accelerated to 2.8% from an upwardly revised 1.3% in March.

Industrial production in France rose 1% month-on-month in March 2026, beating market expectations of a 0.5% increase and rebounding from an upwardly revised 0.9% fall in the previous month. Manufacturing output recovered to 1.2% from a 0.1% decline in February, mainly driven by a rebound in transport equipment (2.3% vs -0.7%), agri-food products (1% vs -0.8%), and electrical, electronic and computer equipment (1.6% vs -0.2%). Output also strengthened in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (6.3% vs 1.6%) and other industrial goods (0.8% vs 0.2%). Overall industrial production was further supported by a return to growth in extractive industries, energy and water (0.3% vs -3.4%), particularly electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning (0.3% vs -3.5%). On a yearly basis, industrial output increased 0.9% in March, compared with a 0.3% decline in the previous month.