FX.co ★ France Manufacturing Sector Stagnates in July

France's S&P Global Flash Manufacturing PMI slipped to 50.0 in July 2026 from 51.2 in June, coming in below market expectations of 51.0, according to preliminary estimates. The latest reading points to a stagnation in factory activity, as output fell at a faster pace, with the output index declining to 48.8 from 49.1 amid reports of weaker demand. New manufacturing orders also contracted more rapidly, while new export orders recorded a sharp decline for the eighth month in a row. Backlogs of work continued to shrink, and employment remained under pressure in the context of subdued business confidence. On the pricing front, both input cost and output price inflation eased further in July, although overall inflationary pressures remained elevated.