French Private Sector Activity Hits Five-Month Low in March
France's composite PMI fell to 48.3 in March as weak demand and supply issues slowed the economy. Business confidence dipped amid rising geopolitical risks.
The private sector in France experienced its sharpest contraction since last October during the month of March. According to a business survey released on Tuesday by S&P Global Inc., the downturn was driven by a combination of sluggish demand, supply chain issues linked to the conflict in Iran, and widespread caution among clients ahead of upcoming local elections.
The S&P Global Flash France Composite PMI Output Index, which serves as a preliminary estimate of economic health, dropped to 48.3 in March from 49.9 in February. This reading remains below the 50-point threshold that separates growth from contraction, signaling a deepening retreat for the eurozone's second-largest economy.
