FX.co ★ France Industry Confidence Strongest Since 2022

France’s manufacturing business climate index rose to 105 in October 2026, surpassing both market expectations and September’s reading of 101, and reaching its highest level since July 2022. The upturn was driven chiefly by stronger overall order books (at -11, compared with -16 in September) and a marked improvement in foreign order books (at -1, from -10), with the latter at its highest level since April 2022.

Personal production prospects increased for the third consecutive month, climbing to 19 from 14, their highest since February 2022, while past production moved back into positive territory, rising to 2 from -1. General production prospects also firmed for the sixth straight month, improving to -8 from -9 and returning to their long-term average.

At the same time, finished-goods inventories eased to 9 from 13, and expectations for workforce size inched up to -1 from -2. Expectations for selling prices moderated, slipping to 11 from 15, though they remained above their long-term average. By contrast, perceived economic uncertainty among business leaders increased, rising to 36 from 32.