Paris / AFP There is a great risk that France misses its 2017 deficit target because of increased spending since the start of the year, the Court of Auditors warned on Wednesday. Francois Hollande’s government has repeatedly promised that it will bring the public sector deficit to 2.7% of gross domestic product (GDP) next year, below the three percent limit …

  Bloomberg Russia will only take its battle against inflation so far. Reserves and the ruble’s free float is where it draws the line. Authorities are looking at how to keep tapping a wealth fund to cover the budget deficit even though their method of doing so floods the economy with excess cash, according to four officials familiar with the …

  Frankfurt / AFP Consumer confidence in Germany is on the rise as households feel that robust domestic demand, rising wages and low inflation will keep Europe’s biggest economy on a growth path, a poll found on Wednesday. “In contrast to the weather, German consumer sentiment is showing itself from its sunny side,” market research company GfK said in a statement. …