FX.co ★ French Manufacturing Confidence Improves To 99

Confidence among French manufacturers saw a notable surge in August, surpassing expectations, as revealed in the latest data from the statistical office INSEE.

The manufacturing sentiment index increased to 99 in August, recovering from June's 43-month low of 95. Despite this improvement, the index remains slightly below its long-term average of 100. Economists had predicted a modest rise to 96.

The resurgence in August is largely attributed to a rebound in personal production expectations and a notable improvement in foreign orders.

Specifically, the index for personal production expectations rose sharply to 8.0 in August from -5 in the previous month. However, the assessment of producers' past production situation deteriorated, falling to -14 from -6 in July.

The index measuring overall order books saw a marginal increase, climbing to -16 from -20.

General production expectations were less pessimistic in August, with the corresponding index improving to -13 from -18 in the prior month.

Conversely, the sub-index for anticipated trends in selling prices over the next three months declined to 2 in August from 7 in July.

The overarching business confidence index, which includes responses from business leaders across sectors such as manufacturing, construction, services, retail, and wholesale trade, also saw an improvement, rising to 96 in August from 94 in July. This uptick was primarily driven by better balances related to ordering intentions and overall business outlook.