France

France's AAA credit rating is "stable" said ratings agency Standard & Poor's, a week after rumours hit the market the country is facing a downgrade.

Both Germany and France have ruled out common eurozone bonds as a solution to the bloc's debt crisis, the FT has reported.

France has reported annualised GDP growth of zero in the second quarter, raising concerns over the government's ability to meet its financial targets.

As the US continues to teeter on the brink of default, France has been dragged into the global financial crisis and Germany warns the Greek bailout was a one-off…we bring you all the top stories from the nationals.

Moody's has cut Greece's credit rating by three notches following the agreement of a new rescue package for the stricken country.

Those looking to maximise returns in the first half of the year should have parked their money in Eastern European equity markets such as Hungary and the Czech Republic, according to data from S&P's.

The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has chosen French finance minister Christine Lagarde as its new director.

The economies of the 17 countries in the single currency block grew 0.8% in the first three months of 2011, up from 0.3% in Q4, figures released today reveal.

French asset management firm Carmignac Gestion has announced its intention to expand into the UK market this year.

The FTSE 100 rose 1% to 5,871.5 points by 1.45pm today, propelled by the mining sector.