Prior 51.4Manufacturing PMI 50.6 vs 48.1 expectedPrior 47.8Composite PMI 50.1 vs 50.3 expectedPrior 50.4It’s a polarising release with the French services sector slumping in December while the manufacturing sector posts a beat on activity. At the balance though, it still leads to a bit of a drag to the French economy with overall activity basically stagnating in the final month of the year. Looking at the details, employment conditions held up while price developments were little changed compared to November. HCOB notes that:โFrench private sector business conditions appear largely static in December. The HCOB flash PMI remains marginally in
growth territory, yet it signals a softer expansion compared to the prior month, reflecting an economy still weighed down by
uncertainty among households and firms. Beneath the surface, however, sectoral adjustments have occurred: manufacturing
stabilised, whereas services lost momentum, leaving the aggregate picture flat and the overall French economy sluggish.
โThe flash Manufacturing PMI managed a modest climb past the 50.0-point mark as the year drew to a close. December
brought encouraging signs in indices for both output and order books, with foreign demand providing a notable lift. Another
optimistic reading of the Future Output Index and a renewed willingness among firms to expand their workforces provides a
positive signal for the outlook.
โHowever, so long as no budget is passed by the government, political uncertainty will remain a noticeable headwind for
Franceโs economy. The passage of the social security budget is at least a small victory for Prime Minister Lecornu. However,
subdued consumer sentiment and intense international competitive pressures from the likes of the US and China diminish
growth prospects. The recently robust aviation industry could offer a glimmer of hope for the future by providing additional
impetus to the manufacturing sector more broadly.โ
This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.
๐ก DMK Insight
The recent PMI data from France is a mixed bag, and here’s why that matters: While the manufacturing sector beat expectations at 50.6, the services sector’s slump indicates underlying economic fragility. This divergence could lead to volatility in the euro, especially as traders assess the implications for the ECB’s monetary policy. If the services sector continues to lag, it might prompt the ECB to reconsider its tightening stance, impacting euro pairs significantly. Watch for key levels around 1.05 for EUR/USD; a break below could signal further weakness. On the flip side, the manufacturing beat suggests some resilience, which could support bullish positions in industrial stocks or commodities linked to manufacturing. Traders should monitor the upcoming economic releases closely, as they could provide clearer direction on whether this PMI data is a one-off or part of a broader trend. Keep an eye on the 50.0 mark in composite PMI as a psychological level; a sustained move below could trigger bearish sentiment across the board.
๐ฎ Takeaway
Watch the 1.05 level for EUR/USD; a break below could indicate further euro weakness amid mixed PMI signals.





