# Rexecode study highlights French companies' net margins among the lowest in Europe

> Rexecode explains that the stability of the gross margin rate since 1990 is misleading: French companies' net margins are declining and rank among the lowest in Europe.

**In brief**: Economy event (severity: low) nationwide, first detected on 3 November 2026 at 17:33. Reported by 2 sources (2 articles), last updated on 4 November 2026 at 05:59.

- Category: Economy
- Severity: Low
- Place: Nationwide
- First detected: 3 November 2026 at 17:33
- Updated: 4 November 2026 at 05:59
- Web page: https://acturadar.com/en/events/8401-rexecode-study-highlights-french-companies-net-margins-among-the-lowest-in

## Coverage angles

Both sides relay the same Rexecode study on the weakness of French companies' net margins, but the center emphasizes taxation and labor costs while the right focuses on net profitability and the misleading nature of the gross margin rate.

**Common ground**

- The study is published by Rexecode
- French companies' net margins rank among the lowest in Europe
- The stability of the gross margin rate since 1990 is considered misleading

**Differences**

- The center emphasizes mandatory levies and public aid, an angle absent from the right-wing article
- The center mentions the share of value added devoted to wages, an element not mentioned on the right

## Sources (2 articles)

- [« Des marges parmi les plus faibles d'Europe » : l'étude qui détaille la rentabilité des entreprises françaises](https://www.lopinion.fr/economie/des-marges-parmi-les-plus-faibles-deurope-letude-qui-detaille-la-faible-profitabilite-des-entreprises-francaises) — L'Opinion, 3 November 2026 at 17:33
- [Des milliards d'aides publiques et pourtant les entreprises françaises restent les moins rentables d'Europe, les plus taxées et celles qui consacrent la plus grande part de leur richesse aux salaires](https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/des-milliards-d-aides-publiques-et-pourtant-les-entreprises-francaises-restent-les-moins-rentables-d-europe-les-plus-taxees-et-celles-qui-consacrent-la-plus-grande-part-de-leur-richesse-aux-salaires_AV-202611040110.html) — BFMTV / RMC, 4 November 2026 at 05:59

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Cite as: Acturadar, “Rexecode study highlights French companies' net margins among the lowest in Europe”, https://acturadar.com/en/events/8401-rexecode-study-highlights-french-companies-net-margins-among-the-lowest-in
Methodology: https://acturadar.com/en/methodology