France’s private sector showed signs of stabilisation in July, as the HCOB France Composite PMI rose to 49.6, up from 47.2 in June 2026. Although the index remains below the 50.0 threshold that separates expansion from contraction, the latest reading points to a notable easing in the pace of decline.
The improvement between June and July suggests that business conditions in France’s combined manufacturing and services sectors are gradually firming after a weaker start to the summer. While activity is still marginally contracting overall, the move closer to the 50.0 mark indicates that the downturn is losing momentum.
The updated figures, released on 24 July 2026, will be closely watched by investors and policymakers looking for confirmation that the French economy may be nearing a turning point after recent softness in private sector output.
