S&P Global said Tuesday France’s final August manufacturing PMI rose to 51.1
from July’s 49.8 but undershot the earlier flash 51.5. Output increased for the
first time since April while new orders declined. S&P Global Market Intelligence
chief economist Joe Hayes said the reading, despite being better than the flash,
offers limited grounds for optimism because demand remains weak, business
confidence has fallen and inventory drawdown has accelerated, making the output
rebound unconvincing.
