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France: Stronger manufacturing growth fails to offset slower services expansion
October’s flash France PMI® data indicated private sector output rose at a slightly softer rate, led lower by weaker growth in the service sector and despite manufacturers raising production to the greatest degree for over two-and-a-half years. The Markit Flash France Composite Output Index, based on around 85% of normal monthly survey replies, registered 52.2, compared to September’s 15-month peak of 52.7. There was some divergence between the respective trends in output of the two main sectors covered by the PMI survey. On the one hand, manufacturers raised production to the greatest degree since March 2014. ... (full story)