The BPLG/AFP indicator of sentiment in the French small- and medium-sized business (SME) sector fell to 10 in November from 16 in October.
The indicator is based on business leaders' responses on sales, profitability, employment trends, and the outlook for their company and industry.
The SME sector, which covers companies with between 6 and 200 employees, accounts for 45 per cent of total French employment. The indicator is based on a scale under which 0 equates to the historic low point reached in 1993 and 100 equates to the high reached in 2000.
Despite the decline, 38 per cent of business leaders surveyed said they remain confident about the economic environment and future investments, compared with 33 per cent in October.
Source: AFX Europe
