Markit Economics released its preliminary manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) for France on Friday. France's preliminary manufacturing PMI rose to 50.7 in October from 50.6 in September, beating forecasts of a fall to 50.2.

France's preliminary services PMI increased to 52.3 in October from 51.9 in September. Analysts had expected the index to decline to 51.6.

"French private sector output growth firmed slightly in October, underpinned by rising activity across both services and manufacturing. The data point to modest growth momentum at the start of the final quarter, following a likely small rise in GDP during Q3," the Senior Economist at Markit Jack Kennedy said.