PARIS (Reuters), – France’s economy came to a halt unexpectedly in its first quarter, as consumers cut back in response to the energy price shocks and the war in Ukraine. This was according preliminary data released by INSEE on Friday.

The quarter’s zero growth marks a significant slowdown in comparison to 2021’s final three months, where the second-largest economy in the euro zone expanded 0.8%. That figure was upped from 0.7% earlier.

In a Reuters poll, 24 economists found that this was less than what they expected for growth at 0.3%. The range of expectations were 0.6% to -1.1%.

French household spending fell 1.3% as high energy costs and war in Ukraine impacted consumer confidence.