The French economy concluded 2023 with another month-on-month contraction in private sector business activity, latest HCOB PMI® data, compiled by S&P Global showed. This extended the period of decline that started at the midway point of the year. Notably, the decrease in output accelerated for the first time since September and was the steepest since November 2020. Similarly, new orders fell rapidly amid an increased drag from export markets, driving further backlog depletion and cuts to employment. Businesses also expressed less optimism towards the year ahead, with growth expectations at their joint-weakest in just ... (full story)