paris nov 23 reuters  frances private sector economy contracted in november for the first time since february 2021 according to a monthly survey as lower new orders weighed on the euro zones secondbiggest economy sp globals flash purchasing managers index pmi for frances services sector fell to 494 points from 517 in october any reading above 50 points shows growth while figures below 50 show a contraction the figure was also below a reuters poll which had forecast 506 points the flash november pmi figure for frances manufacturing sector rose to 491 points from 472 in october it beat a reuters poll forecast for 470 points but was nevertheless still below the 50 points mark and therefore remaining a contraction the flash november composite pmi figure  which comprises both the manufacturing and services sectors  fell to 488 points from 502 in october and was also below a reuters poll forecast of 495 points although france’s manufacturing sector has been in a downturn since the start of the second half of 2022 overall economic activity levels throughout this period had been propped up by continued growth in services this vital support for the economy looks to have ended as service sector output fell for the first time in just over a yearandahalf in november said joe hayes senior economist at sp global market intelligence as a consequence flash pmi data pointed to the first reduction in french economic activity since february 2021 added hayes