French Output Growth Cools as Manufacturing Weakness Persists

France’s private-sector output lost momentum this month as manufacturing shrank for an 11th consecutive month, holding back the recovery.

Markit Economics said on Tuesday that its composite Purchasing Managers Index for services and manufacturing slipped to 51.7 from 52.2 in February. While the factory measure rose to 48.2 from 47.6, it remained below the 50 mark that divides expansion from contraction. The services gauge declined to 52.8 from 53.4.