French consumer confidence fell in November to its lowest level since February 2015, according to data from the official statistics agency INSEE, another sign of sluggishness in the euro zone's second-biggest economy. The November reading for consumer confidence fell to 92 points from 95 in October. A Reuters poll of eight economists had an average forecast of 94 points for the November level.
The number of French households expressing concern over unemployment picked up, INSEE said, and worry over inflation grew as oil prices rose. France has been hit over the last week by nationwide protests against tax increases for diesel, which many consumers blame for reducing their spending power. French President Emmanuel Macron won elections in May 2017 on promises to modernise the country's economy, but he is increasingly running into resistance as voters become impatient to see the benefits of his reforms.