FRANCE DATA: French wage gains slowed significantly in 4Q and were
weaker than the same period last year, thus cutting the annual increase
to a 10-year low, the Economics Ministry confirmed Friday. Monthly base
salaries rose 0.2% in 4Q, the ministry said, leaving unchanged the
figure it first reported February 12. This followed gains of 0.5% in 3Q,
0.4% in 2Q and 0.8% in 1Q, also unrevised. As salaries had grown 0.3% in
4Q 2008, the annual increase was trimmed to 1.9%, down from 2.0% in 3Q,
2.2% in 2Q, and 2.7% in 1Q.