October 5, 2026
Savings & financial products"When the economy slows, the central bank cuts rates." In September 2026 the ECB raises its own by 0.25 points (deposit rate: 2.50%), while projecting 0.9% growth and 3.0% inflation.2.50% the ECB deposit facility rate since 16 September 2026, against 2.25% before and 2.00% at end-April
Employment & society"France has 348 taxes." That is a British think tank's count, not an official figure: France's Court of Audit identifies 243 low-yield taxes, together raising about €6 billion.348 taxes the number of taxes in France according to Tax Policy Associates, against 60 in Germany and 90 in the UK
Savings & financial products"Inflation is rising everywhere." Not quite: in September 2026 energy prices rise 21.2% over a year, while manufactured goods fall 0.3%.3.0% the year-on-year rise in consumer prices in September 2026 (Insee flash estimate), against 2.4% in August
Also today
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97
Employment & society · October 2, 2026
Public debt gained 1.5 points of GDP in a single quarter: 119.0% of GDP at end-June 2026, according to Insee, against 117.5% at end-March.
119.0% of GDP — France's public debt (Maastricht definition) at end-June 2026, i.e. €3,595.5 billion
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96
Savings & financial products · October 2, 2026
"The State will take 17% of your savings accounts." The budget text does not say that: it only targets forgotten assets already deposited with the Caisse des dépôts, and their owner can recover them in full.
17% — the rate of the exceptional levy in the draft 2027 budget on forgotten assets held by the Caisse des dépôts, for €1.4 billion of expected revenue
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95
Employment & society · October 1, 2026
"The 2027 budget brings the deficit down to 5%." That is the government's target, not a result: the 2026 deficit has itself just been revised up to 5.4% of GDP.
5.0% of GDP — the government's public deficit target for 2027, against 5.4% expected in 2026
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94
Savings & financial products · October 1, 2026
"The French are abandoning life insurance." In 2026 they have poured in more than in twenty years: €41.3 billion of net inflows in the first seven months.
€41.3bn — net inflows into French life insurance over the first seven months of 2026, a record since 2006
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93
Markets & investing · October 1, 2026
"When the economy struggles, the stock market falls." In 2026 the CAC 40 crossed 8,700 points for the first time, an all-time record — even as French growth slows.
8,700 pts — the historic threshold the CAC 40 crossed in 2026, a record — while French growth slows
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92
Markets & investing · October 1, 2026
"French debt is still a safe, cheap bet." In September 2026 France borrows at 4.63% over 10 years, its highest since 2008, and the gap with Germany has topped 1 point — unseen since the 2012 eurozone crisis.
4.63% — the rate at which France borrows over 10 years (OAT) on 25 September 2026, its highest since 2008
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