France

France’s Long, Cold Struggle with Home Insulation

INSEE’s 2025 study shows insulation cuts energy use modestly, with paybacks stretching a century. Quality, behavior, and context matter most

Europe’s Next Bond Shock: Dutch Pension Overhaul Could Trigger €2 Trillion Market Jolt

France’s Sovereign Bonds: High Foreign Ownership and Rising Risks

France faces rising risks in its bond market as more than half of its sovereign debt is held by foreign investors. With a 2024 deficit near 6% of GDP and debt above 110%, fiscal space is shrinking. Foreign holders can exit quickly when confidence weakens, pushing yields higher. Recent market moves already show spreads over German bunds at multi-year highs, signaling growing investor unease. This reliance on volatile external demand leaves France vulnerable to a cascading selloff that could spill over into wider European markets.