Markets

French Service Sector Remains in Contraction for Second Consecutive Month

France's service sector displayed ongoing weakness in February 2026, as business activity contracted for the second month in a row. New work intakes fell, especially from international clients, prompting firms to focus on clearing backlogs to maintain output levels. Despite these challenges, there was a slight uptick in employment, indicating some resilience within the labor market. The dual pressures of reduced demand and international uncertainty continue to challenge service providers in the country. Analysts remain cautious about the sector's recovery prospects moving forward, with further monitoring needed.

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In January 2026, industrial producer prices rose by 0.7% in the euro area and 0.8% in the EU, as reported by Eurostat. This marks a shift from the previous month's decline of 0.3% in the euro area. The increase indicates a potential recovery in industrial

Euro Area Unemployment Rate Drops to 6.1% in January 2026

The euro area recorded a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 6.1% in January 2026, showing a slight decrease from 6.2% in December 2025 and 6.3% a year earlier. Similarly, the broader EU unemployment rate fell to 5.8%, down from 5.9% in the previous month and

UK Service Sector Shows Steady Growth Amid Staffing Challenges

The UK service sector experienced a continued increase in business activity during February, buoyed by improving demand. Despite this positive trend, staffing levels fell for the seventeenth consecutive month, reflecting ongoing pressure on margins stemming from elevated business costs. Service providers are struggling to balance growth with expenses, complicating their