According to data released by the official statistics office, INSEE, French industrial production climbed 2.1% higher in May. This was the biggest monthly jump since November 2016.

May’s industrial production picked up on account of increased aircraft production and energy output. April’s industrial output growth was also revised higher, from 0.4% previously to 0.5%.

In May, production in the French energy and utilities sector also ticked 4.6% higher, faster than the 4.0% growth in April. Higher production by Airbus helped the transport sector also grow by 3.3% in May.

Another positive figure was the growth in manufacturing production, which rose 1.6% higher in May. In comparison, manufacturing production had only grown by 0.1% in April.