French Jan business confidence weakens unexpectedly
2013-01-23 11:38:45
French business confidence deteriorated unexpectedly in January as manufacturers assessed sharp contraction in past production and forecast a deterioration on own production outlook.
The business sentiment index came in at 86 in January, survey data from the statistical office Insee showed Wednesday. It was forecast to rise to 90 from 89 in December.
The balance for recent changes in output plunged to -23 from -10 in December. Likewise, personal production output slipped to -15 from -9. The index for finished-goods inventory level also fell to 3 from 11 in the previous month.
Meanwhile, the demand and total order level balance improved to -35 from -37 a month ago. But demand and export order levels fell to -41 from -37.