FX.co ★ French Industry Sees First Growth in Six Months

In February 2025, France saw a 0.7% increase in industrial production from the previous month, reversing a revised 0.5% decline recorded in January and surpassing the anticipated rise of 0.3%. This marked the first uptick in French industrial activity in half a year, primarily fueled by a significant upsurge in manufacturing output, which rose by 1.4% compared to a 0.5% decrease in January. Notably, the manufacturing sector's improvement was driven by machinery and equipment goods, which surged by 3.1% following a 3.2% contraction, alongside other manufacturing products, which grew by 1.2%, compared to a 0.4% fall. Concurrently, construction activity saw a resurgence, climbing 1.6% after experiencing a 1.7% decline the previous month. However, sectors such as mining and quarrying, energy, water supply, and waste management continued their downward trajectory, with output falling by 2.2% after a modest 0.1% dip in January. On an annual scale, industrial production in February was down by 1%.