French central bank confirms estimate of 0.3% growth

France Central Bank (BdF) on Tuesday saw third quarter growth forecast at 0.3 percent, unchanged from a previous estimate.

In its monthly report, the BdF said "industrial activity rose slightly" in August as weak performance of chemicals and metalworking sectors offset the improvement of transport businesses.

Forecasts pointed to a continued rise in September, it added.

As to services sector, activity inched up last month but its outlook for this month would be more positive, according to the bank's survey based on business leaders sentiment.

Over the period, indicators of industry and services were stable at 98 and 96 respectively.

For the whole year of 2015, French central bank forecasted 1.2 percent growth of France's national output.

The growth rate of the eurozone's second largest power would stand at 1.8 percent next year and 1.9 percent in 2017, it added.