A woman walks past a closed shop of French gourmet food company Fauchon in Paris on September 8, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

PARIS, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- French consumers' confidence in the financial situation and economy hit its lowest level since late 2018, with November sentiment indicator standing at 90, the national statistics bureau INSEE said on Thursday.

This month's appreciation index lost four percentage points from a month earlier, and remained below its long-term average of 100.

Households have been much less optimistic concerning their future financial situation, with the appreciation indicator dropped by 5 points to minus 14.

Their sentiment on the economy in the coming months decreased sharply by nine points to stand at minus 65, said the report.

In November, more consumers thought it is appropriate to save, with this indicator gaining three percentage points. Meanwhile, their concerns over a rise in jobless claims have increased to reach the highest level since 2013. The corresponding balance was at 78, up by four points from October figures.

The French government forecast an economic recession at 11 percent for 2020, worse than a previous estimate of 10 percent, after the country introduced a second nationwide lockdown in late October to halt COVID-19 resurgence, which has further paralyzed economic activities.