Key Findings:

  • Construction activity falls once again in July as new orders drop
  • Employment decreases for first time since February
  • Construction sector confidence slumps to 15-month low

The French construction sector recorded a further drop in activity levels at the start of the third quarter, July’s PMI® survey showed, marking back-to-back declines. The fall in construction work coincided with yet another decrease in new business intakes as economic weakness and high inflation weighed on demand for construction projects. Businesses also showed greater concern towards the outlook, with the level of confidence slumping to a 15-month low. Staffing levels were subsequently reduced for the first time since February.

The headline S&P Global France Construction Activity Index – which measures month-on-month changes in total industry activity – recorded 48.6 in July. While this marked an increase from 46.4 in June, it remained below the crucial 50.0 mark that separates growth from contraction, thereby signalling a further decline in construction activity across France.

According to more granular data regarding activity levels across different forms of construction work, housing and commercial building drove July’s overall contraction. Residential construction recorded the faster deterioration of the two, although in both cases, rates of decrease slowed from June. Meanwhile, civil engineering activity levels were unchanged in July.

A key drag on French building work was demand, with July survey data signalling a fourth consecutive reduction in new projects. According to panel members, uncertain economic conditions and high inflation both weighed on constructors’ order books. The decrease in demand was modest but slightly quicker than seen in June.

Indeed, the outlook for inflation and the economy were also mentioned as factors that drove a loss of business confidence during July. Although firms were optimistic overall, the level of positive sentiment slumped to a 15-month low.

The Exporting from the UK section of the Construct UK Directory includes
– International Construction Exhibitions – UK Government Support for Exhibiting Overseas – Identifying Suitable Markets – Agent or Distributor – International Project Lead Sources

There was evidence that weaker optimism and falling demand impacted hiring decisions in July. For the first time since February, French construction firms recorded lower employment levels.

Indeed, subcontractor usage also continued to decline, although falling subcontractor availability, historically steep increases in their rates charged, as well as reports that the quality of their work had deteriorated, continued to be signalled by the latest survey.

Meanwhile, French construction companies continued to raise their purchasing activity at the start of the third quarter. That said, the rise in input buying, despite accelerating slightly, was below that seen on average over the current 11-month sequence of expansion.

Amid weak input demand growth, latest survey data showed tentative signs of reduced strain on suppliers. The extent to which lead times lengthened was the least marked since March 2021. That said, vendor performance continued to worsen at a historically sharp pace overall.

Lastly, French constructors faced another month of sharply rising costs. Higher prices for energy and raw materials were cited as sources of inflation by panellists. Nevertheless, the increase in operating expenses was the slowest in 16 months.

Joe Hayes, Senior Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said, “The French construction sector began the third quarter in worse shape as building activity fell once again. According to panellists, uncertainty, weakening economic conditions and rapid inflation were causing clients to hesitate on new construction projects. Indeed, new orders fell for the fourth month in a row, while business confidence slumped to a 15-month low as companies grew concerned about their prospects in the year ahead.

“One relief for French constructors from the latest survey data will be a cooling of cost pressures. Input prices increased sharply in July, although the rate of inflation was the softest in almost a year-and-a-half. This was partly explained by a slight reduction in supply chain bottlenecks as input lead times lengthened to a markedly weaker extent than in June.

“That said, with demand conditions deteriorating and some firms cutting back on their purchases, businesses may take little solace from supply chain improvements if they have nothing to do with their materials.”

For further details, click here.

The Construct UK Sales & Marketing Directory hosts over 75 articles, 1,000 construction events and 30 different databases for download. The annual £195 (+VAT) subscription fee provides unlimited access to all resources on the site.

Keep up to date with the latest construction marketing news by registering for our regular free construction sales and marketing e-bulletin here.

Follow us on Twitter