Europe Economics Focus French consumers – slowdown, not slump Recent data on the French household sector have flattened hopes that healthy consumer spending growth would prevent a sharp economic slowdown. With inflation soaring, consumer confidence at a record... 12th August 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Sarkozy one year on In the year since his election, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has failed to live up to the French public’s great expectations, but he has achieved more than he is given credit for. Provided that he... 6th May 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus France to outshine Germany this year With the export-driven recovery in Germany faltering as global demand weakens, a healthy consumer sector should stand France in good stead to make up ground on its larger neighbour. While German GDP... 3rd March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update France won't succumb to pressure to reduce deficit The latest pressure on the French government to bring its finances into order is unlikely to alter its fiscal plans in the near term. Indeed, with tough talk from other euro-zone ministers confirming... 12th February 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Measured fiscal leniency will boost French growth Recent moves towards granting France a little leniency around the EC’s strict fiscal rules suggest that the economy could receive a significant fiscal boost, over the next few years at least. We think... 1st August 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus French election unlikely to end economic malaise There are hopes that the Presidential election will rid France of its tag as the new “sick man of Europe”. But while the leading candidate Nicholas Sarkozy has proposed measures to tackle the problems... 16th April 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Germany underperforms France, but for how long? Germany’s economy has underperformed that of France for a number of years, but this could change if it is successful in pushing through with its reform agenda. Indeed, Germany is now particularly... 30th September 2004 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus UK beats France in the European income championships Whatever the football results from Portugal, some countries can at least draw comfort from the latest league table of national incomes. Data from the IMF World Economic Database 2004 allow us to... 18th June 2004 · 1 min read