NEWS: French consumer confidence index jumped to "yellow vest" level
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In February, France's consumer confidence index rose to its highest level since the yellow vest protestors began weekly demonstrations, as households improved their financial situation and unemployment fears subsided.
The 95-point data showed the highest level of consumer confidence since October, when "yellow vest" protestors began fighting high cost of living and President Emmanuel Macron's policies over the weekend.
The National INSEE Statistics Office's index growth exceeded economists'average expectations as Macron took expensive measures to raise workers' incomes and quell protests this month.
In December, French leaders decided to speed up benefits for the poorest workers, stop planning to increase fuel taxes and reduce overtime taxes at a total cost of 10 billion euros ($11.35 billion).
"French consumers are recovering rapidly," said Frederik Ducrozet, an economist at Pictet. "With the start of Macron's stimulus measures, unemployment fears gradually subsided," followed by rising sentiment. "