Markit Economics released its final manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) for France on Monday. France's final manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) dropped to 49.6 in July from 50.7 in June, in line with the preliminary reading.

"The French manufacturing sector slipped back into contraction during July, failing to build on the previous month's marginal improvement in operating conditions. Key variables such as output, new orders, employment and stock levels all showed declines, as weak demand continued to hold back the performance of the industry and thwart any sort of upturn taking hold," Markit Senior Economist Jack Kennedy said.