Highlights of the week: 500 billion euros of assets in Livret A and LDDS, the French invest less in the stock market in 2023, new sites in Forex and crypto-assets on the MFA blacklist

Total liabilities under Livret A and LDDS exceeded 500 billion euros at the end of November 2022. The French are less inclined to invest in the stock market in 2023. The official rental map published by the Ministry of Housing has been updated. The Social Security ceiling is being increased by about 7% in 2023. Cash usage continues to decline in the Eurozone. Exceptional assistance for wood-heated households can be claimed until 30 April 2023. 51 sites were added without authorization from the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) and the Authority for Prudential Supervision and Resolution (ACPR). so investments in Forex and crypto-assets.

Summary:

• Livret A and LDDS accounts: outstanding amounts rise above €500 billion
  

• The French are less inclined to invest in the stock market in 2023
  

• Real estate: updating the official rental map
  

• The Social Security cap increased by about 7% in 2023
  

• Cash usage continues to decline in the Eurozone
  

• Wooden check: the counter will be open till April 30, 2023
  

• Forex and crypto-assets: 51 blacklisted sites in 2022
  

Livret A and LDDS accounts: outstanding amounts rise above €500 billion

According to the figures, total disbursements on Livret A and Livret de developpement durable et solidaire (LDDS) exceeded the symbolic threshold of €500 billion at the end of November 2022, after first passing in September 2022. Published by Caisse des dépôts. At €500.5 billion, the outstanding amount on these two tax-exempt savings products is at historic levels. In turn, the combined net inflows of the Livret A and LDDS accounts reached €1.02 billion in November 2002. Livret A’s yield doubled in 2022, rising from 0.5% to 1% in February and then from 1% to 2%. It should increase again in August and February 2023.

The French are less inclined to invest in the stock market in 2023

According to Audirep’s annual savings and investment barometer for the Autorité des marchés financial institutions, only 19% of French people intend to invest in the stock market in the next 12 months, compared to 25% at the end of 2021. AMF). According to the AIF, this decline is particularly noticeable among the over-55s, who are more cautious (12%), but also among those under 25, who nevertheless remain the most enthusiastic age group (30%). In terms of French investments, pension products (23%) and unit-linked life insurance (22%) outnumber shares in listed companies (17%).

Real estate: updating the official rental map

At the end of December 2022, the Ministry of Cities and Housing published an updated version of the interactive map of rents in France. This tool was developed by the National Housing Information Agency (ANIL) using data provided by advertisements published on leboncoin and SeLoger. The figures presented on the map correspond to typical properties (52 m² apartment, 92 m² house) rented in the third quarter of 2022. The map will now be updated annually by ANIL in coordination with site partners and the Ministry of Ecological Transition. and Territorial Union.

The Social Security cap increased by about 7% in 2023

The social security ceiling is reevaluated every year on January 1, according to the evolution of salaries. After remaining flat for three consecutive years (2020, 2021 and 2022), it increased by 6.9% on January 1, 2023. It is therefore set at an annual value of €43,992, a monthly value of €3,666, a daily value of €202 and €27. Hourly Euros for 2023. The Social Security ceiling is used to calculate the maximum amount of certain benefits such as daily benefits (sickness, accident at work, maternity, paternity) and pensions. It is also used for the calculation of social insurance contributions on wages.

Cash usage continues to decline in the Eurozone

According to a study by the European Central Bank (ECB), in 2022, 59% of transactions in stores in the Eurozone were made with cash, compared to 72% in 2019. Although they remain the most widely used means of payment, cash is falling sharply due to the development of electronic means of payment. The share of card payments in stores, most of which are contactless, increased by 9 percentage points and reached 34% in 2022. In addition, the share of online purchases as a percentage of all daily transactions in the Eurozone has increased significantly (17%) compared to 6% in 2019 (2022).

Wooden check: the counter will be open till April 30, 2023

The exceptional aid for wood-heated households will be available between 27 December 2022 and 30 April 2023 at www.chequeboisfioul.asp-public.fr. Applicants must submit a nominative invoice proving the purchase of firewood at the minimum price. the amount is 50 euros. The firewood voucher, which ranges from €50 to €200 depending on income, should benefit 2.6 million households, according to government estimates. It can be used with the wood seller, but also to pay any other energy bill. This aid complements the €100-€200 exceptional energy audit sent to 12 million households.

Forex and crypto-assets: 51 blacklisted sites in 2022

Throughout 2022, the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) and the Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authorities (ACPR) added 51 sites to their blacklists. Among them, 49 sites were closed for offering unregulated foreign exchange (Forex) investments, compared to 61 in 2021. In the cryptoasset derivatives category, only AMF and ACPR added 2 unauthorized sites in 2022 compared to 24 in 2021. Even if they are updated regularly, these blacklists are never complete. Therefore, financial controllers advise savers to be especially careful.