France: Business confidence edges up in February
In February, the French Statistical Institute’s (INSEE) business climate indicator for the manufacturing sector rose to 102.5 from a revised 101.9 in January (previously reported: 100.0). As a result, the indicator move further above the 100-threshold, its long-term average.
Manufacturers general production expectations improved in February, while their perception of past activity grew slighly less gloomy. In addition, surveyed firms reported easing pessimism with regards to their overall orders books. Conversely, manufacturers’ employment expectations soured, as did their perception of finished-goods inventories.