(News Bulletin 247) – The Paris Stock Exchange gained a little ground this Monday, in contained volumes without the British and American operators to bring a little animation. The CAC 40 increased by 0.46% to 8,132.49 points.

In the absence of Wall Street and London closed due to a public holiday, the atmosphere on the Paris Stock Exchange was much less lively this Monday. The volumes traded reflect the desertion of British and American operators, since only 1.6 billion euros changed hands during the session.

It is therefore in this almost deserted market that the CAC 40 gained 0.46%, which is more than enough to make its return to 8,100 points, to 8,132.49 points.

The Parisian star index therefore begins this new week in better shape than the previous one. It had lost 0.9% on a weekly basis, contracting with investors’ uncertainties about the intentions of the American Federal Reserve (Fed) in terms of monetary policy.

The trajectory of prices, a spur to markets

Investors are therefore impatiently awaiting the monetary policy meetings of the major central banks. The European Central Bank’s (ECB) chief economist, Philip Lane, weighed in, speaking to the Financial Times.

The central banker implicitly indicated that the European institution was ready to reduce its rates next month, while warning that it would still need to maintain a restrictive monetary policy. “Barring any major surprises, at present, the elements at our disposal allow us to lift the highest level of restrictions,” said the economist, according to comments reported by Reuters.

In the United States, members of the Fed raised concerns about the trajectory of prices in its monetary policy briefing last week. An observation which was supported by solid American statistics published the next day, particularly on the front of private sector activity, which pushes back the deadline for a first rate cut by the Fed.

It is in this context that operators will learn about inflation data in the euro zone, Japan and the United States. Regarding the last economy mentioned, investors will be feverishly awaiting Friday’s release of the US PCE price indicator for April, since it is the Fed’s preferred gauge for measuring price trajectory.

Alstom’s appeal to the market appreciated

On the CAC 40, the variations were relatively contained, since the largest increase amounted to 2.2% with Société Générale while the largest decline was limited to 0.7% (STMicroelectronics).

On the broader SBF 120 index, Alstom gained 5.6% after announcing the launch of a capital increase of 1 billion euros which should enable it to complete its 2 billion euro debt reduction plan.

But the biggest increase went to Worldline which jumped 7.3%, followed by Ayvens (+5.8%) while the Viridien stock, formerly CGG, appreciated by 5.3%.

Atos, on the other hand, lost 3.1% while discussions remain lively between the candidates for the takeover of the heavily indebted IT giant.

On other markets, the euro gained 0.1% against the dollar to 1.0858 dollars. Oil rebounds before the meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) this Sunday. The July contract on North Sea Brent gained 0.9% to $82.60 per barrel, while that on WTI listed in New York also gained 0.9% to $78.47 per barrel.