France's Economic Data Bullish For CAC 40

 | May 18, 2018 03:15AM ET


Expansion in French manufacturing and services sectors accelerated in April. Will the CAC 40 continue advancing?

Recent French economic data were positive after the economy slowed down in the first quarter as GDP grew by 0.3% over quarter in the three months to March 2018 after 0.7% expansion in Q4 2017. The composite purchasing managers’ index reported by Markit rose to 56.9 in April from 56.3, indicating expansion in economic activities in April, and the consumer prices inflation slowed less than expected in April. At the same time Insee, the French statistics agency, revised up its estimate of the country's 2017 economic output: to 2.2% growth from 2016 instead of the 2% previous estimate. Improving economic data are bullish for French stock index FR 40.