The Bank of France on Monday predicted that the French economy is set to grow in the second quarter, repeating a modest expansion seen for the first three months of the year.
The bank forecast 0.1 percent growth as its first estimate for the second quarter. For the first quarter, the bank had predicted 0.1 percent growth. The statistical office INSEE is set to release the first quarter GDP figures on May 15.
Results of the monthly survey by the Bank of France also revealed that the business sentiment indicator for the manufacturing industry rose to 94 in April from 93 in March. The corresponding indicator for services held steady at 88 in April.
In manufacturing, capacity utilization improved in April, though order books remained thin despite a rebound in demand. Prices continued to fall and businesses expect activity to shrink slightly in May.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.