Companies in France benefited from the economic recovery in 2010 and generated higher profit levels. But this improvement did not offset the declines of the two previous years and significant disparities persist.

Entities that have been restructured via LBOs generally appear to perform better and are more dynamic than the average: at constant investment rates, their development potential and cash-flow generation look higher.

In 2012, disparities were observed among the financial positions of French firms. Activity slowed down, profits fell and the rise in equity was smaller than in 2011. Nevertheless, firms’ financial structures improved and their cash position reached a 15-year high.