May's flash France PMI data pointed to an eleventh consecutive month of private sector growth in France. The IHS Markit Flash France Composite Output Index, based on around 85% of normal monthly survey replies, registered 57.6, compared to April's reading of 56.6.

The latest figure signalled the sharpest rate of growth in six years. The service sector saw activity increase for the eleventh time in as many months. Moreover, the rate of expansion accelerated to a six-year high and was sharp overall. Manufacturing output also continued to rise markedly, albeit to a fractionally weaker extent than in April.