A slight pick-up in private sector growth was recorded across France at the end of the third quarter, latest PMI® data from S&P Global showed, although the underlying trend in output remained weak. Driving the marginal improvement was the services sector, with growth here quickening following August’s 16-month low amid a renewed rise in new business intakes. That said, the manufacturing downturn accelerated as high inflation, overstocked warehouses and weakening demand led to a further sharp decline in goods production. The headline Flash France PMI Composite Output Index increased to 51.2 in September, from ... (full story)