France - PMI Services

The IHS Markit France Services PMI rose to 52.4 in December 2019 from 52.2 in the previous month and beating market expectations of 52.1, a preliminary estimate showed. The reading pointed to a stronger expansion in the services sector, as new orders increased solidly and the job creation rate went up at the fastest pace since July. Also, new export orders went up and volumes of outstanding business continued to grow. On the price front, output cost inflation eased. In December, several unions including transportation went on strike to protest against a reform of France’s pension system, which will see people need to work longer to get a full pension.

The IHS Markit France Services PMI came in at 52.2 in November 2019, below a preliminary estimate and market expectations of 52.9 and compared to October’s reading of 52.9, final figures showed. The latest reading pointed to a slower expansion in the services sector, as new orders growth slowed, mainly due to the domestic market. Meanwhile, export sales advanced at quicker pace and the job creation rate increased at the fastest pace in four months. Backlogs of work went up for the seventh consecutive month. On the price front, input cost inflation eased; and output prices rose marginally. Lastly, sentiment remained positive hitting its highest level since April, boosted by expectations of strong demand.

The IHS Markit France Services PMI came in at 52.9 in November 2019, unchanged from the previous month and slightly below market expectations of 53.0, a preliminary estimate showed. New orders and employment continued to rise at a solid pace. On the price front, both input inflation and output charge inflation softened slightly. Looking ahead, business sentiment remained strong.

The IHS Markit France Services PMI was confirmed at 52.9 in October of 2019, higher than a five-month low of 51.1 in September, final figures showed. Underpinning the increase in the services sector was an upturn in new orders, with new export business rebounding, mainly due to higher demand from Spain, Portugal and Algeria. Also, outstanding business rose the most since June, mainly due to increases in Financial Intermediation, Post & Telecommunications and Renting & Business Activities. Backlogs went up despite another increase in staff number. On the price front, input costs went up due to wages and increased prices for fuel and some raw materials and output charges rose the most since August of 2011. Finally, business confidence was the highest in three months.

The IHS Markit France Services PMI increased to 52.9 in October of 2019 from 51.1 in the previous month and beating market expectations of 51.6, a preliminary estimate showed. Volumes of new business continued to rise while employment grew faster than in September. On the price front, input cost increased sharply while output charges also went up.

The IHS Markit France Services PMI declined to 51.1 in September 2019 from a nine-month high of 53.4 in August, lower than a flash estimate and market consensus of 51.6, final data showed. The latest reading pointed to the softest expansion in the service sector since April, as new orders growth slowed to four-month low mainly due to a decrease in international sales as exports fell for the first time in four months, with reductions in each covered subsector apart from Financial Intermediation. Additionally, the job creation rate increased at the slowest pace since April. On the price front, input cost inflation eased to the weakest for just over two years. Finally, service providers remained optimistic towards the business outlook, driven by expectations regarding a rise in new work.