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More Evidence France Is the New Sick Man of Europe

Workers of automotive supplier Heuliez on the last day of work in Cerizay, France on Oct. 31
Workers of automotive supplier Heuliez on the last day of work in Cerizay, France on Oct. 31Photograph by Alain Jocard/AFP via Getty Images

While Europe’s economic recovery is slowly gaining traction, France is sliding backwards.

That’s the inescapable conclusion about newly reported data on business activity, including a survey released today by Markit Economics showing that France’s service-sector output contracted sharply in December, to a six-month low. An earlier report showed a steep drop in French manufacturing activity during December as well.