March Brings Slight Uptick in French Industrial Production

According to INSEE, France's statistical office, the country witnessed a 0.2% increase in industrial production this March compared to February. This growth was primarily fueled by a 3.1% surge in transport equipment manufacturing.

Key Drivers and Declines

The automotive sector played a pivotal role with a 3.3% boost, alongside a remarkable 9.6% rebound in coking and refining. However, not all sectors shared in this upward trend; capital goods manufacturing experienced a 0.6% decrease, and energy production saw a significant 2% decline.

Yearly Comparison Shows Mixed Results

When compared to the previous year, manufacturing output fell by 1%, with industrial production overall declining by 0.4%, indicating a complex recovery landscape for France's industrial sector.