The French economy grew stronger-than-expected 0.6 per cent in the first quarter after growing 0.4 per cent the previous three months, the INSEE national statistics agency said on Monday.

A poll of 15 analysts surveyed by Reuters had forecast growth for the euro zone’s second-largest economy to remain at the 0.5 per cent INSEE had initially reported in its preliminary estimate.

Growth in the quarter to end-March was driven by a 1.0 per cent surge in consumer spending and a 1.6 per cent increase in investment, INSEE said.

Reuters