French private sector firms reported a third successive monthly drop in output during January. However, the rate of contraction was modest and the weakest in this sequence. The Markit Flash France Composite Output Index, based on around 85% of normal monthly survey replies, posted 48.5, up from 47.3 in the previous month. Slower falls in activity were recorded in both the service and manufacturing sectors . In each case , the latest drop was the least marked since October. New business at French private sector firms also fell at a slower pace during the latest survey period . T he rate of decline eas e d to the ... (full story)