French growth stalls: report

Economic growth in the eurozone slowed in the second quarter as France stagnated and Italy lost momentum, held back by an uncertain global outlook that is even weakening investment in powerhouse Germany.

Growth in the 19-country currency bloc slowed to 0.3%, missing expectations for a 0.4% quarterly expansion that would have matched the first quarter.

This relatively meagre growth came against a backdrop of heavy monetary stimulus from the ECB and a weak euro that boosted exports.