French manufacturing activity declined at a slower pace in April, final results of a survey by Markit Economics showed Thursday.
The headline purchasing managers' index rose to 44.4 in April from 44 in March. This matched the preliminary PMI score. Readings below 50 suggests contraction of the sector.
The latest reading was the highest since December 2012, but still pointed to a marked worsening of the business climate, Markit said.
Production fell for a fourteenth consecutive month in April, but the rate of decline was the weakest since August last year. New orders also declined, but at the slowest pace in eight months.
Employment in the French manufacturing sector slipped for a fourteenth consecutive month, the survey report said.
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April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.