Private sector employment in France fell by 8,300 jobs in March when compared to February, according to the France National Employment Report produced by the ADP Research Institute in collaboration with Moody’s Analytics. This was ADP’s first report of a decline in private sector jobs since November.

Viewing selected industries, trade lost 6,200 jobs in March and real estate lost 300. However, financial services gained 3,500 jobs while transportation added 300 and manufacturing gained 200.

“Financial services maintained its pace of hiring from February to March, aided by a higher demand for credit amid loosening credit conditions,” said Ahu Yildirmaz, VP and head of the ADP Research Institute. “Weakening consumer confidence sent trade into negative territory after strong job gains the previous month.”

The report is derived from actual headcount data and measures the change in total nonfarm private employment each month on a seasonally adjusted basis.