The upturn in France continues apace

The upturn in France continues apace. The services PMI rose to 58.7 in December, according to the latest figures published by the Institute Markit / CDAF. Services rose for the fourth consecutive month. The index of purchasing managers for the overall activity, combining the services and industry (figure published earlier this week), also indicates an increase, to 59.2, against 60.2 in November.

The indicator for the services' folds compared to 60.9 in November (a high of 37 months) but nevertheless indicates a high rate of expansion, "notes Mark. Beyond 50, the index indicates an increase in activity. The dynamism of the index is due in December by the record number of new contracts at their highest level in two years.

On the other hand, job losses and slowing the decline in prices paid and charged by companies stalled."Further, in 2010, the upturn recently recorded should be based largely on developments in the labor market," said the statement Jack Kennedy, economist at Markit. "He therefore hoped that the growing confidence of businesses in the economic recovery is reflected, in the new year, with hiring decisions."

The services PMI in Eurozone recorded his part for its strongest growth since November 2007, to 53.6 in December against 53 in November. "However, the recovery did not extend to all countries in the eurozone, where the Spanish services sector remains a concern," said Rob Dobson, senior economist at Markit.

• Conflicting signals on French growth
• The unemployment rate held steady at 10% in euro area
• The wait weighs on the Paris Stock Exchange
• Inflation remains stable in May
• Eurozone: Unemployment falls below the 10%