French Manufacturing Sector Grows for First Time Since 2023

Industry is emerging as a bright spot for France’s economy.

Photographer: Nathan Laine/Bloomberg

France’s manufacturing sector ended a 2 1/2-year slump, offering some hope for the euro-zone’s second-biggest economy as it grapples with a renewed bout of political turbulence.

S&P Global’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 50.4 in August from 48.2 in July, bringing it above the 50 threshold separating growth from contraction for the first time since January 2023.