1056 GMT - Fresh cash for European defense will take some time to add some zest to the French economy, ING economist Charlotte de Montpellier tells investors in a note. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for greater European investment in its military, and the EU has proposed a fund of some 150 billion euros to that end. That could offer a needed stimulus to France's ailing manufacturing sector, which booked an unexpected drop in output at the start of the year, figures released Wednesday show. But that extra money wouldn't likely have much of an impact this year, De Montpellier warns. "The economic situation in France remains very poor," she says. (joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 05, 2025 05:57 ET (10:57 GMT)
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