France Markit January PMI now out 5 Feb

  • 59.3 flash
  • composite 59.6 vs 59.7 exp/flash

Slightly soggier final readings but limited impact from this data nowadays

Says Markit:

  • Business activity growth in the French services sector was broadly unchanged from the previous month at the start of 2018, and remained among the steepest recorded for six-and-a-half years.
  • The expansion was supported by the sharpest rise in new orders since May 2011, which in turn contributed to a further marked rise in staffing numbers. Nevertheless, backlogs of unfinished work accumulated at the quickest pace since May last year. Meanwhile, business confidence remained firmly positive despite a marginal moderation from December.
  • On the price front, input cost inflation intensified,

Full Markit report here