France’s economy slightly expands

The French economy reported 0.2 percent growth in the third quarter after having contracted by 0.1 percent in the second quarter, according to figures released by the country’s statistics bureau. TheNational Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies attributed the increase to a 0.3-percent rise in investment and improved industrial output. With the coke and refined petroleum industry rebounding over the period, manufacturing production was a positive contributor to the third quarter’s GDP while households’ consumption expenditure stagnated for the second consecutive month.