France's private sector economy contracted further in April, but at a slower rate than initially estimated, final data released by Markit Economics and CDAF showed Monday.
The composite output index increased to a four-month high of 44.3 in April from 41.9 in March, which was the lowest reading in forty-nine months. The initial estimates were for a reading of 44.2 in April. An index below 50 shows contraction in the sector, while one above suggests growth.
Across the private sector as a whole, employment decreased at the fastest rate in three month in April. Output prices in the private sector economy fell for the twelfth consecutive month, and at a solid pace.
At the same time, the seasonally adjusted business activity index for the service sector moved up to a four-month high of 44.3 from 41.3 in March. The flash estimates had showed a reading of 44.1.
"Persistently weak demand continued to weigh on new business inflows, leading companies into a further round of job shedding," Markit Senior Economist Jack Kennedy said.
"While confidence over future activity levels improved modestly, optimism remains far below the long-run average for the survey, as firms generally expect the difficult operating environment to persist over the coming year."
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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.