The French economy remained mired in a downturn midway through the third quarter, latest HCOB PMI® data compiled by S&P Global showed, with overall activity levels falling solidly. The rate of contraction matched that seen in July, which was the steepest since November 2020. Notably, output volumes across the dominant service sector fell for a third month running and at the quickest pace in two-and-a-half years, while manufacturing production extended the decline that has been ongoing since last summer. There was a further slump in demand for French goods and services, with accelerated drops recorded at both ... (full story)