Private sector growth softened in March according to latest data. Nevertheless, at 56.2, down from 57.3 last month, the IHS Markit Flash France Composite Output Index continued to highlight an elevated rate of expansion and one that was markedly higher than the long-run series average.

Rates of expansion remained strong, but softened in both the manufacturing and service sectors, hitting 12- and seven-month lows respectively. Service providers maintained a sharper rate of growth than their goods producing counterparts.