​France's and Spain's GDP Exceeds Expectations

Eurozone member states are pumping economic data today. France's economy rose by 0.5 percent in Q1, surpassing estimates of 0.4 percent. This its third consecutive quarterly rise. The October to December period grew by 0.3 percent. Consumer spending leaped by 1.2 percent. The positive data bodes well for French President François Hollande who is trying to lift his popularity for the elections next year. Meanwhile, Spain's GDP gained 0.8 percent, maintaining the similar growth of the last quarter. It also beat predictions of 0.7 percent.