The latest results reflected falling new orders and job shedding. Meanwhile, prices continued to rise sharply as input cost inflation hit a nine-month high and charges increased at a solid pace.

At 50.8 in November, down from 51.2 in October, the seasonally adjusted IHS Markit France Manufacturing PMI pointed to a slower improvement in business conditions. In fact, the upturn was the weakest since September 2016, when a deterioration was recorded.