Euro zone economy slows to 0.4% growth in Q3 as crisis-hit France contracts

Euro zone growth slowed to 0.4% in the third quarter, down from 0.6% in the second quarter, according to Eurostat’s estimate. The result exceeded economists’ 0.2% forecast, but highlighted uneven performance across the currency bloc. France’s economy contracted 0.1% from July through September, amid political tensions, rising borrowing costs and concerns over its budget deficit. Germany grew 0.2%, Italy was flat, while Spain expanded 0.6%. The European Central Bank held interest rates steady as officials weighed inflation and growth risks.