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French services activity falls solidly in December, marking two successive quarters of sustained contraction
As has been the case since the mid-point of 2023, the latest HCOB PMI® survey, produced by S&P Global, showed falling levels of output across France's service sector. Fragile demand conditions remained a key feature of the survey, with client appetite reportedly fading. Employment growth was maintained, albeit only marginally, but business confidence improved markedly to reach a four-month high. The seasonally adjusted HCOB France Services PMI® Business Activity Index – which measures changes in the volume of business activity compared with one month previously – registered beneath the critical 50.0 ... (full story)