The French economy began 2026 with its first monthly contraction in private sector business activity since October last year, according to the HCOB ‘flash’ PMI® survey, in part due to clients showing hesitancy to place orders amid the ongoing political deadlock regarding the nation’s fiscal plans. Demand for France’s goods and services weakened at the fastest pace in six months in January and companies continued to show restraint with pricing decisions as charges were unchanged since December. Positively, however, firms’ expectations for growth over the coming year were their most optimistic since September 2024, ... (full story)