France: Consumer confidence improves marginally in April
The consumer confidence indicator produced by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) edged up from 100 points in March to 101 points in April, surpassing market expectations of a 100-point reading. Since January 2017, the indicator has remained at or above the 100-point benchmark, where it had not previously been since September 2007.
April’s print reflected consumers’ slightly more optimistic view on the macroeconomic components of the index. Future and past living standards were perceived in a more positive light in the surveyed month, and both components are currently resting above their respective long-term averages. Inflation expectations declined slightly, while consumers’ fear of unemployment was broadly unchanged and currently resting well below the series average. On the other hand, respondents’ view on their personal financial situation was broadly unchanged in April.