Resilient car and aerospace demand bolsters French manufacturing sector

France’s manufacturing sector expanded in February, slightly beating initial estimates, helped by solid demand in the cars and aerospace sectors, S&P Global reported this week.

The HCOB final France Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for February slipped to 50.1 points from a 43-month high of 51.2 in January.

Nevertheless, it remained above the 50.0 points level indicating growth, and the final February manufacturing PMI beat the flash PMI reading of 49.9 points.