French consumer confidence plunges By Ben Hall in Paris Published: January 29 2008 11:48 | Last updated: January 29 2008 11:48 French consumer confidence plunged to a record low in January according to officials figures published on Tuesday, reflecting deepening concern about financial market turmoil and rising prices. The study by INSEE, the French statistical agency, found that household confidence dropped to its lowest level since 1987, when the series began. The figures reveal the growing anxiety of French consumers, with record pessimism about future living standards and a growing reluctance to buy. Mathieu Kaiser, economist at BNP Paribas, said...