FX.co ★ France's Economic Drumbeat Slows: Composite PMI Drops to 46.8 in October

France's economic outlook took a somber turn in October as the HCOB France Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dipped to 46.8, underscoring a deceleration in both the manufacturing and services sectors. This marks a decline from September's reading of 48.1, and the descent below the critical 50-point threshold signals a contraction in economic activities.

Updated on October 24, 2025, the latest figures indicate mounting challenges for the French economy as it grapples with a confluence of domestic and global headwinds. The drop suggests a weakening momentum across various business sectors, intensifying concerns over future growth prospects amidst persistent inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainties.

This downward trend in the PMI, a key barometer of economic health, underscores the urgency for policy interventions to reinvigorate economic dynamism and preserve jobs. As France navigates these turbulent times, close observation of economic indicators will be critical in formulating responsive and adaptive economic strategies.