French Industry Confidence Holds Steady in August

France’s manufacturing climate indicator stayed at 96 in August 2025, unchanged from July’s six-month low and below the long-term average of 100. Sentiment was weighed by weak personal production prospects (-5 vs -4) and general production expectations (-12, stable for the third month). Overall order books remained subdued (-21 vs -20), while finished goods inventories fell sharply (10 vs 16), moving back below average. Workforce size balances stayed weak at -2, though workforce shortages rose (12 vs 9). On supply constraints, only 21% of firms reported obstacles, the lowest since 2017 excluding COVID. Foreign demand improved slightly (-17 vs -18), while the expected trend in selling prices eased (2 vs 5), the lowest since September 2024. Economic uncertainty also declined (27 vs 31). By sector, sentiment plunged in food and beverages (92), weakened in machinery and electronics, improved in transport equipment, and held steady in other manufacturing.