Investment in France

France - Investment
GDP growth moderates in the third quarter
According to a preliminary estimate, GDP growth eased to 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter basis in the third quarter, from 0.5% in the second quarter.
Softer growth came as private consumption recorded flat growth in the third quarter (Q2: +0.3%), as the post-pandemic catch-up effects dissipated in tourism-related sectors. In addition, exports of goods and services growth fell to 0.7% in Q3, marking the worst reading since Q1 2021 (Q2: +1.3% s.a. qoq). Imports of goods and services growth picked up to 2.2% in Q3 (Q2: +1.2% s.a. qoq).
More positively, public consumption bounced back, growing 0.5% in Q3 (Q2: -0.1% s.a. qoq). Moreover, fixed investment growth picked up to 1.3% in Q3, from the 0.4% increase in the prior quarter.
On an annual basis, economic growth waned markedly to 1.0% in Q3, following the previous quarter’s 4.2% increase. Q3’s reading marked the slowest expansion since Q4 2020.
The positive growth print was partly thanks to the doubling in the growth rate of business investments. These investments, which were primarily in transport equipment, should go some way towards easing remaining supply chain hurdles. Therefore, this momentum should dissipate as supply chain tensions disappear. Moreover, rising financing costs make it unlikely that investment will continue to spur the economy ahead.
Commenting on the print, Tullia Bucco, economist at UniCredit Bank, noted that:
“In the face of the myriad of global economic headwinds Europe faces, the French economy remained resilient in 3Q22, driven by lingering momentum in services activity. However, this positive effect may soon wear off. The latest PMI data for October indicate that momentum in the services sector weakened and came close to a standstill while the downturn in manufacturing intensified. […]. Accordingly, the outlook for GDP growth is likely to weaken rapidly, although we expect that any possible contraction in GDP will be relatively mild, mitigated by substantial government support.”
On the outlook, Charlotte de Montpellier, senior economist at ING, highlighted that:
“[We] believe that a contraction of French GDP could be observed in the fourth quarter, as well as at the beginning of 2023. With investment at half-mast, risks to energy supply, continued high inflation, and an overall slowdown in demand for exports, it is difficult to expect a strong recovery in growth in the second half of 2023. We expect GDP to contract by 0.3% over 2023 as a whole, after rising by 2.5% in 2022.”
FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists see the economy expanding 0.3% in 2023, which is down 0.2 percentage points from last month’s forecast, and 1.6% in 2024.
France - Investment Data
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Investment (annual variation in %) | 0.9 | 2.5 | 5.0 | 3.2 | 4.3 |
France Facts
Value | Change | Date | |
---|---|---|---|
Bond Yield | 0.08 | 0.46 % | Jan 01 |
Exchange Rate | 1.12 | 0.65 % | Dec 31 |
Sample Report
Get a sample report showing our regional, country and commodities data and analysis.
Request a Trial
Start working with the reports used by the world’s major financial institutions, multinational enterprises & government agencies now. Click on the button below to get started.
Economic News
-
France: Consumer confidence falls and remains pessimistic in January
January 27, 2023
Consumer confidence fell to 80.0 in January from December's 81.0, meaning the index remained below the 100-threshold, indicating pessimism among consumers. The slightly lower print was driven by households’ worsened appraisals of their personal situations: Households’ sentiment regarding their past and future financial situations worsened, as well as that regarding current and future saving opportunities.
-
France: Business confidence among manufacturing firms increases in January
January 24, 2023
Business confidence among manufacturing firms rose to 103.1 in January from December's 102.1.
-
France: Composite PMI falls further below 50-threshold in January
January 24, 2023
The S&P Global Flash Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) came in at 49.0 in January, down from December's 49.1, marking its third straight month in contractionary territory.
-
France: Inflation declines to lowest level since September in December
January 13, 2023
Harmonized inflation came in at 6.7% in December, down from November’s 7.1%.
-
France: Industrial output rebounds in November
January 10, 2023
Industrial output increased 2.0% in month-on-month seasonally adjusted terms in November, which contrasted October's 2.5% decrease.