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2025-12-18 16:21:27
[French Business Confidence Rises in December, Boosted by Manufacturing Sentiment] ⑴ France's composite business confidence index rose to 98.7 in December, the highest level since June 2024. ⑵ This jump was mainly driven by a significant improvement in manufacturing confidence, while service sector confidence remained stable. ⑶ This brings the French business confidence index closer to its long-term average of 100, a level last reached in March of last year. ⑷ The employment situation index dipped slightly to 95 from 96 in November, mainly due to a decline in expectations for future labor force size in the service sector. ⑸ Meanwhile, the overall sector index, which includes retail trade and motor vehicle trade and repair, rebounded sharply to 104, the highest since January 2024, primarily driven by an increase in indicators related to order intentions. ⑹ Although the increase was small, this could at least be a potential starting point for an improvement in the French economic outlook.
