French manufacturing output keeps expanding in February, yet demand remains weak

French Manufacturing Sees Continued Growth in February

According to the latest HCOB PMI® figures, France's manufacturing sector experienced another month of increased output in February, marking a consecutive rise at the beginning of 2026. Despite this growth, the boost in production occurred without a corresponding uptick in new orders, resulting in higher inventories of finished products.

Even so, manufacturers remain optimistic about the year ahead, supported by strong sales pipelines and encouraging demand projections. At the same time, inflationary pressures intensified within the sector. The cost of metals and related materials climbed, leading to a faster increase in input expenses. As a result, manufacturers raised their selling prices to the highest level seen in recent times.