France’s manufacturing sector showed a modest acceleration at the start of the year, with the HCOB France Manufacturing PMI rising to 51.2 in January 2026 from a previous reading of 50.7. The latest data, updated on 2 February 2026, indicates a further move into expansion territory for French factories.
The January improvement, while incremental, suggests that operating conditions in the sector are continuing to strengthen after hovering just above the growth threshold. A reading above 50 typically signals expansion in manufacturing activity, and the uptick from 50.7 to 51.2 points to a slightly firmer underlying momentum in output and orders.
With both the previous and current PMI readings recorded in January 2026, the updated figure provides a clearer snapshot of manufacturing performance as the year begins, hinting at a cautiously improving backdrop for France’s industrial economy.
