France: Manufacturing PMI decreases in April
The HCOB France Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 45.3 in April from 46.2 in March. As a result, the index moved further below the 50.0 no-change threshold, and signaled a faster deterioration in manufacturing sector operating conditions compared to the previous month.
April’s decline in the PMI was primarily driven by a significant and accelerated decrease in new factory orders, with firms reporting reduced demand from key domestic sectors such as construction and transport, as well as subdued export demand from the U.S., Mexico, Germany, and parts of North Africa. This led to a marked decrease in production, with output levels contracting solidly and at the fastest rate for three months. Efforts to manage lower new business intakes included allocating more resources to clear backlogs of work, resulting in a sharp reduction in outstanding business volumes.
Meanwhile, input price inflation reached a 14-month high in April, driven by rising costs for oil-based products, steel, and foodstuff, marking the fastest pace of inflation since February 2023. Despite these cost pressures, competitive pressures prevented firms from passing on higher costs to clients, leading to a fall in average selling charges for the eleventh consecutive month. Lastly, French manufacturers expressed increased optimism towards the 12-month outlook, the most positive sentiment since April 2023, buoyed by hopes of economic growth in external markets and a recovery in demand.