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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