Informations Rapides · 22 October 2026 · n° 256

In October 2026, the business climate in services has improved slightly Monthly survey of services - October 2026

According to business managers surveyed in October 2026, the business climate in services has improved slightly. At 99, the synthetic indicator has gained one point and has moved closer to its long-term average (100).

In October 2026, business managers in services are more optimistic than in the previous month about their personal business outlook: the balance of opinion on expected activity has bounced back and has departed from its long-term average; the one on expected demand has also bounced back, slightly, and has returned to its average level. The balance on the sector’s general outlook has edged up slightly but remains below its long-term average for the tenth month in a row. As for the balance on past activity, it has fallen back after two consecutive months of increase and has moved away from its average level.

The balance of opinion on expected workforce size has rebounded slightly and has moved closer to its long-term average. However, the balance about expected workforce size in services except temporary work agencies has markedly decreased et has departed from its long-term average. The balance relating to the past evolution of workforce size in services has also increased somewhat, but remains far below its average level.

The balance on expected selling price changes is stable, while the balance on past selling price changes has edged down slightly. Both remain above their respective long-term average.

The balance on the economic uncertainty felt has increased sharply after three months of stability; it has reached its highest historical level, excluding the COVID 19 pandemic (time series started in April 2021), well above its long-term average.

In October 2026, the share of business managers reporting difficulties in recruitment is stable compared to the previous quarter, above its average.

Business managers are slightly more numerous than in the previous quarter to report both supply and demand difficulties: at 7%, this proportion stands slightly below its long-term average. They are as numerous as in the previous quarter to report only demand difficulties (17%) or only supply difficulties (19%) as obstacles to increasing their activity. Both proportions stand below their respective average.

The quarterly balance of opinion on expected investment trends over the next three months has decreased slightly and has moved away from its average.

The quarterly balance on the cash position has fallen back slightly, but remains above its average level.

In October 2026, the business climate indicator in information-communication has edged up slightly and has moved closer to its long-term average (100). The balances relating to the expected evolution of demand and activity have increased sharply, the former has reached its long-term average, while the latter has just moved above it. Conversely, the balances relating to the past evolution of activity and workforce size have fallen back strongly.

In professional, scientific and technical activities, the business climate is stable, above its long-term average (100). The balances on past activity and on the sector’s general outlook have fallen back, while the one on expected activity has increased again and has moved away from its long-term average.

In administrative and support services, the business climate indicator has bounced back markedly and has moved closer to its long-term average (100). The forward-looking balances on workforce size and activity have rebounded sharply, with the former returning to its long-term average. The balance on the sector’s general outlook has also resumed increasing and has almost returned to its own.

In accommodation and food services, the business climate has bounced back slightly and has moved closer to its average (100). The balances on expected demand and activity, as well as the one on past workforce size, have increased. Additionally, business managers’ opinion on the sector’s general outlook has improved for the fifth consecutive month. However, the balances on past activity and expected workforce size have decreased again and stand below their respective average.

Finally, the business climate indicator in road freight transport has fallen back markedly and has moved away from its average (100). This decline is mainly due to the strong declines in the forward-looking balances on activity and workforce size, and the sector’s general outlook, which have moved away from their averages. The balance on past activity has rebounded and has returned above its long-term average.

The business climate indicator in services of September 2026 has not been revised (after rounding).