by whataboutbob
Sat Dec 24th, 2005 at 04:53:01 AM EST
From the front page. I'm just putting this out there as "positive news from Europe": French consumers boost spending
French consumers returned to the shops during November, helping drive a higher-than-expected rise in spending.
Statistical office Insee said that consumer spending rose by 1.1% in November from the previous month, and by 3.2% from a year earlier. (...) There are increasing signs that the economy is gathering momentum and recovering.
German economy 'to grow quicker'
Growth in the German economy, Europe's largest, is set to accelerate next year, lifted by exports and stronger investment, a report has said.
Growth also is set to improve in 2005, hitting a higher-than-expected 0.9%. Germany is emerging from a slowdown and the report is the latest to suggest the recovery is becoming more sustainable.
"The economy really is picking up," said Hans-Werner Sinn, president of the Munich-based research group. "After five years, there are clear signs that the economic lull has been overcome."
Just consider this a positive visualization...
