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Data from FMP. Forecasts by Sigmanomics Forecast Engine.
FranceFrance HCOB Construction PMI climbed to 43.9 in February 2026
FMPMonthlyReleased March 2026
France HCOB Construction PMI climbed to 43.9 in February 2026, released March 2026, up 0.4 from January's 43.5 reading. The reading matched the 44.4 consensus. HCOB Construction PMI has now risen for 3 consecutive months. Over the past 3 months, HCOB Construction PMI averaged 43.45, vs 42.1 in the prior 3-month window. The reading is in the 88th percentile of the trailing 24-month range.
Latest Release
43.9
Actual
44.4
Consensus
43.5
Previous
Median Absolute Error
±1.38
across last 12 releases
Last Call
Mar 2026
Predicted: 44.13
Actual: 43.9
Error: +0.23
Sigmacast Σ-direction model: consensus + ½ × mean(surprise, trailing 90d).
CORRELATED SYMBOLS— markets that historically move with this indicator
| Symbol | Direction | Correlation | Asset Class | Signal Bias | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/JPY | ▼ Inverse | −0.67 | FOREX | Bearish EUR | → View |
| XAU/USD | ▼ Inverse | −0.37 | COMMODITIES | Bearish XAU | → View |
| EUR/USD | ▼ Inverse | −0.31 | FOREX | Bearish EUR | → View |
| EUR/GBP | ▼ Inverse | −0.29 | FOREX | Bearish EUR | → View |
Correlation based on 12-month rolling window. Click any symbol to view its Sigmanomics forecast page.
THE RELEASE
HCOB Construction PMI (France) was reported at 43.90 in March 2026. This missed the market consensus of 44.40 by 0.50. The reading rose from the previous value of 43.50. Trailing 12-month context per ETL data through March 2026. Over the past 12 months, the indicator has averaged 42.94, ranging from 39.70 to 46.70 across 8 releases.
WHY IT MATTERS
The indicator has been trending upward over the last three releases. The trailing three releases averaged 43.60, up from the prior three at 42.10. Volatility over the past year (σ 2.13) is comparable than the prior year (σ 2.17). In March readings over the past 3 years, HCOB Construction PMI has averaged 41.87.
THE MODEL'S TAKE
Historically, this indicator is negatively correlated with EUR/JPY (Bearish EUR). A secondary relationship exists with XAU/USD, negatively correlated (Bearish XAU). Over the last 12 releases, the Sigmacast model's median absolute error is 1.38.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
Same-country events in the next 14 days include Business Confidence (Jun 23) and S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (Jun 23).
Auto-generated from current model state · Refreshes on each release · Last update March 2026.
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HCOB Construction PMI - FR
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About HCOB Construction PMI — France
DEFINITION
HCOB Construction PMI is a leading economic indicator that measures the level of activity in the construction sector. It provides valuable insights into the health of the construction industry, including trends in new orders, employment, and business expectations. This indicator is widely used by investors, policymakers, and businesses to make informed decisions about the overall state of the economy and the construction sector. With its timely and accurate data, HCOB Construction PMI is a crucial tool for monitoring and forecasting economic growth and identifying potential risks in the construction industry.
WHY THIS INDICATOR MATTERS
Sentiment surveys are forward-looking inputs that often lead hard data on output and hiring. Sharp swings can drive cross-asset repricing. The release is more useful as part of a longer-run signal than as a single-print catalyst. Released monthly.
WHAT CHANGED THIS MONTH
Latest reading (Feb 2026): actual 43.9, consensus 44.4. Prior reading (Jan 2026): 43.5. Before that (Dec 2025): 43.4.
WHAT'S NEXT
Sigmacast's 1-month forecast points to a similar reading versus the latest print, with the 3-month outlook reinforcing that direction. Both horizons are aligned bearish for this indicator, suggesting a consistent trend signal. Trend-driven dynamics are the primary tailwind in the current projection. This indicator correlates most strongly with EUR/JPY (Bearish EUR, r=-0.67) — a useful reference for forex-focused traders.