Det franske forbrug er kommet stærkt tilbage efter sidste års protestbølge. Der er fremgang overalt i økonomien, og ledigheden er den laveste siden 2008.
Uddrag fra ING:
French consumer confidence rebounds strongly in January
French consumer confidence was back above 103 (103.6) in January, a level last seen in October before a wave a national protests hit the country. These protests made travelling by rail more difficult and disturbed transport in and around the capital. Almost every component of the survey improved, particularly household opinions of their future financial situation and ability to save. Purchasing intentions also rebounded, although mildly, and are back above their average level in the second half of last year. This is a relief as business surveys recently showed that hiring and investing intentions were particularly sensitive to any change in consumer sentiment; memories of last year’s drop in consumer confidence as a result of the yellow vests protests are still vivid, especially in the retail sector. We therefore think that today’s figures should support the rebound in business sentiment measured earlier this month.
The survey also showed that fears of unemployment remain low: the average in the second half of 2019 may not be as low as in the first half of 2018 (before the yellow vest crisis and just after unemployment actually turned up), but there has been no significant increase on the back of the pension reform protests.
The fastest rate of decline in unemployment since 2008 is supporting confidence
