The seasonally adjusted headline Markit France Business Activity Index - which is based on a single question asking respondents to report on the actual change in business activity at their companies compared with one month ago - posted 51.4 in October. Down from 53.3 in September, the latest index reading pointed to a modest rate of growth that was the slowest in three months.

Alex Gill, Economist at IHS Markit, which compiles the France Services PMI® survey, said: "Growth in the French service sector abated at the start of the fourth quarter, with activity increasing at the slowest rate in three months. This was indicative of waning new business growth, as further solid cuts to output prices proved insufficient to prevent the slide. On a more positive note, business expectations remained strong, suggesting companies are hopeful conditions will continue to improve in the months ahead."