The downturn in French private sector output continued in May, flash data from Markit Economics showed Thursday.
The composite output index remained unchanged at 44.3 in May. A reading below 50 suggests contraction in the sector.
While Purchasing Managers' Index for the service sector held steady at 44.3, the manufacturing PMI rose to 45.5 from 44.4 in April. Economists had forecast the services index to rise to 44.5 and manufacturing index to reach 44.7.
"May's unchanged PMI reading points to ongoing struggles for the French private sector economy," Jack Kennedy, senior economist at Markit said.
Activity has continued to fall at a marked pace in the second quarter so far, suggesting that another drop in GDP could well be on the cards following the recent confirmation that France was in recession during the previous two quarters, Kennedy noted.
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