Confidence among French manufacturers held steady in September, following an improvement in the preceding month, according to monthly data released by the statistical office INSEE on Friday.
The manufacturing sentiment index remained at 99.0 in September, consistent with August's figure, and stayed marginally below its long-term average of 100, aligning with expectations.
Views on production trends over the past three months showed a rebound in September, although the overall order book balance deteriorated, as reported by the agency.
The index for personal production expectations, while still positive, slightly decreased to 6.0 in September from 7.0 in August. Conversely, the index reflecting past production conditions saw a marked improvement, rising to -6.0 from -13 the prior month.
The index for overall order books fell to -19 from -16.
The survey indicated that general production expectations became marginally less negative in September, with the relevant index edging up to -11 from -12 in August.
The sub-index for anticipated trends in selling prices over the next three months declined to 1.0 in September, down from 2.0 in the preceding month.
Overall business confidence, which includes feedback from leaders across manufacturing, construction, services, retail, and wholesale trade sectors, continued its recovery in September. The index increased to 98 from 97 in August. Likewise, the employment climate index improved, rising to 100 from 98.