France flash composite PMI rises to 25-month high as business activity rebounds

France's private sector economy returned to expansion territory in September, according to the latest flash purchasing managers' index (PMI) survey data. The France flash Composite Output Index climbed sharply to 51.2 in September from 48.5 in August, crossing the critical 50.0 neutral threshold and marking its highest level in 25 months. The recovery was predominantly driven by a significant acceleration in the service sector. The flash Services PMI rose to 51.4 from 48.0 in the previous month, reaching a 10-month high. Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector showed slight deceleration, with the flash Manufacturing PMI slipping to 50.3 from 51.1 in August, marking a two-month low but nevertheless holding in modest expansion territory. The unexpected rebound in overall French business activity provides positive momentum for domestic equities and regional sentiment. Market participants view the composite expansion as a constructive indicator for broader Eurozone economic resilience, potentially easing recession concerns across European markets while supporting the outlook for the France 40 benchmark index.