French consumer confidence fell unexpectedly in December, data released today showed, as households worried more about their future finances and felt more reluctant to splash out on any major purchases.
The monthly indicator of consumer confidence from national statistics office INSEE edged down to -31 in December from an unrevised -30 in November.
Analysts polled by Reuters had been expecting the confidence index to improve slightly over the month to -29.
"Although it has increased noticeably from its historic low point at the end of 2007, the indicator remains clearly below its average level over the past 15 years," INSEE said.
The reading for householders' opinion of their future finances fell to -10 from -8 in November and fewer respondents felt it was the right time to make major purchases.
Worries over the employment outlook eased slightly, however, pushing the reading up to 61 in December from 62 previously.
Reuters