FX.co ★ France Industrial Output Falls Less Than Expected

Industrial production in France edged down 0.1% month-on-month in May 2026, a smaller decline than the 0.4% drop expected by markets, after a 0.3% increase in April. Output in manufacturing fell more sharply (-1.0% vs. -0.4% in April), dragged by lower production of transport equipment (-2.8% vs. +3.3%) and coke and refined petroleum products (-9.0% vs. +0.6%), while the downturn in machinery and equipment output also intensified (-2.3% vs. -0.4%).

Elsewhere, activity decreased in mining and quarrying (-0.6% vs. +2.2%), and growth in water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation services softened slightly (0.9% vs. 1.0%). In contrast, output in electricity, gas, steam, and air-conditioning supply rebounded strongly (3.4% vs. -1.1%).

On a yearly basis, industrial production rose 3.2% in May, following an upwardly revised 2.9% increase in April.