French Private Sector Grows Less Than Expected on Weak Services

Business activity in France rose less than anticipated as the best performance for more than three years for manufacturers wasn’t enough to offset unexpected weakness in services.

S&P Global’s Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 50.1 in December from 50.4 the previous month — just above the 50 mark separating expansion from contraction. Analysts polled by Bloomberg had anticipated a smaller retreat. None saw an upswing to growth for factories.