Flash PMI: French Private Sector Slips into Contraction Zone in October

03:37 AM EDT, 10/23/2026 (MT Newswires) -- France's private sector economy slipped back into contraction in October, reversing September's growth rebound, as demand for French goods and services fell at its sharpest pace since May, S&P Global data showed Friday. The Flash France Composite PMI Output Index hit a four-month low of 48.4 in October, against the prior reading of 51.1 and the expected 50.5. For the manufacturing sector, the PMI was at an 11-month low of 49.3, lower than September's figure of 50.6 and the consensus estimate of 50.5. On the other hand, the services PMI clocked in at a two-month low of 48.4, compared with the previous 51.2 and market forecast of 50.7.