PARIS (AFX) - An indicator of French business confidence fell to -21 in June from -17 in May, according to a monthly survey of industrialists carried out by the statistics office Insee. The indicator represents the balance in percentage points between those expecting a general rise in output and those predicting a decline.
A separate indicator on prospects for industrialists' own output fell to +6 in June from +8 in May.
An indicator on past production fell to +3 in June from +9 in May. The figure represents the balance between the percentage of industrialists reporting an increase in output and those experiencing a decline during the three months preceding the survey.
All figures relate to all branches of industry except the food sector.
Insee said a production slowdown has been seen across the range of French industries over the past 3 months, but the main indicator remains above its long-term trend.
Industrialists have a stable outlook for production over the next 3 months, the statistics office said.
________________________________ June May
General business confidence indicator -21 -17
Indicator on own output expectations +6 +8
Indicator on past production +3 +9
Indicator on general price expectations +7 +6
Indicator on own price expectations -2 -4