The activity of the private sector in France was almost stabilized in August, while still remaining below the growth threshold, according to the PMI Flash Hcob barometer published this Thursday, August 21, by S&P Global and the commercial bank Hamburg. The composite index established 49.8 in August, against 48.6 in July. The index “got close to the 50.0 bar which separates the growth in contraction in August”, underline the authors of the survey.
Resumption of employment
More generally, the barometer stresses that “after an extended period of contraction”, the French economy “showed signs of stabilization in August”, employment also “recorded growth for the first time since November 2024, the rate of creation of positions having reached a summit of sixteen months”.
“French private companies have increased their workforce despite perspectives of unfavorable activity for the next twelve months and the persistent weakness of demand, although the decline in new cases has diminished compared to July,” it is indicated.