The French September flash PMIs came in lower than expected for all: Services at 48.9, 0.7 points below consensus (49.6 consensus, 49.8 prior) and 2.0 points below consensus for manufacturing at 48.1 (50.1 consensus, 50.4 prior), composite output 48.4, 1.3 points below consensus (49.7 consensus, 49.8 prior). Political uncertainty was cited as a concern by many, but prices were also notable for being lower across both inputs and outputs with the first fall in output prices since May.
- "Private sector business activity fell at the quickest rate in five months."
- "Subdued customer demand was noted as a drag on activity levels in both sectors, with survey data signalling a sixteenth successive reduction in total new orders."
- "In some cases, panel members attributed lower client interest to domestic political uncertainty. Export conditions remained unsupportive, although the rate of contraction in new export business slowed fractionally since August to its weakest for three months."
- "Political turbulence in France led some panellists to lower their expectations for business activity, while others foresee challenging demand conditions and competitive pressures as risks to the outlook."
- Input costs at a 5-month low.
- "Both manufacturers and service providers recorded weaker rises in operating expenses."
- "As for prices charged, both sub-sectors were aligned with discounting in September amid reports of strong competition. At the composite level, this marked the first month of lower selling prices since May."