Supply Chain Research

The INSEE survey of French business sentiment shows the best reading for export orders since June 2011 in February. A net 3% of managers see orders falling vs. 11% in November. That partly reflects improving exports – success breeds optimism – and is a contrast to the U.K. where sentiment fell recently. Export expansion in France may continue, with U.S. shipments rising 19% in January on high value wine and cosmetics shipments. A recovery in Chinese demand is still needed though after four months of declines.