As European governments are implementing austerity measures in order to curb the debt crisis, consumers are reining in spending as well. Consumers in France spent 0.2 per cent less during the second quarter. Meanwhile, consumer confidence in the Eurozone reached three-year low in August. Moreover, companies included in the European Stoxx 600 Index reported lower quarterly earnings and overall consumer spending on services and goods is highly expected to tumble 0.9% in 2012.