The Markit Flash France Composite Output Index, based on around 85% of normal monthly survey replies, registered 57.6, compared to February's reading of 55.9.

The latest figure pointed to the sharpest rate of growth since May 2011. Service providers continued to raise their activity levels during March, thereby extending the latest sequence of growth to nine months. Moreover, the rate of expansion accelerated to a 70-month peak. Manufacturing output also continued to increase at a solid pace, albeit to a slightly weaker extent than in February.