In the last month, the France exchange traded fund (ETF) has been riding high after languishing for much of this year. What’s behind this apparent reversal of fortune?
- The number of unemployed jobseekers in France declined by 8,600 to 2.7 million in June, a 0.3% drop from a month earlier, says RTT staff writer on RTT News. [Euro ETFs Are Riding High, But for How Long?]
- Second -quarter growth in France is anticipated to be better than the first, according to the Finance Minister. In the first quarter, the economy expanded 0.1% following 0.6% growth in the fourth quarter, reports RTT staff writer for RTT News. The Finance Minister Lagarde said she is confident that the country will meet the 2010 growth target of 1.4%. [France’s Small Step with Big Results.]
- Many of the country’s largest companies are seeing a return to profitability. Military electronics maker Safran and aerospace group Thales reported a jump in earnings in the first half, reports UPI. Air France’s profit rose in the fiscal fourth quarter on stronger business travel and freight traffic.
Caution, though: Observers note that the fiscal problems in France and the true cost to eurozone economies of possible bailouts are not priced into France’s sovereign debt.
For more stories about France, visit our France category.
- iShares MSCI France Index (NYSEArca: EWQ)
Tisha Guerrero contributed to this category.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.