By Pauline Foret
(Reuters) – European scholarships finished in dispersed order on Friday, caution with the approach of the anticipated legislative elections in Germany having been only partially offset by the latest macroeconomic indicators of the European continent and the rise in Chinese assets.
In Paris, the CAC 40 ended on an increase of 0.39% to 8,154.51 points. The British footsia closed in quasi-stability, displaying a decline of 0.04%, while the German Dax finished the session on a drop of 0.23%.
The Eurostoxx 50 index closed up 0.19%, the FTSEUROFITS 300 of 0.47%and the Stoxx 600 of 0.49%.
European markets remained feverish this Friday, two days before the anticipated legislative elections in Germany, where negotiations for the formation of a coalition promises to be complex. Attention will focus on the ability of the future government to reform “debt brake”, which requires a limit to the country’s deficit.
On the geopolitical side, the threat of Donald Trump’s customs duties still weighs on the morale of investors, who also try to assess the potential implications of negotiations between the United States and Russia about a cease-fire in Ukraine.
The CAC 40 has nevertheless been able to bounce somewhat during the session after the publication of business results deemed encouraging and in the wake of Chinese assets, carried by the promise of Alibaba to invest “aggressively” in the generative artificial intelligence .
Investors also had to digest the publication of several macroeconomic indicators on the European continent, in particular the PMI surveys of Global and HCOP S&P.
VALUES
On the Paris Stock Exchange, GTT and Alten fly away by 15.2% and 9.3% respectively, rising at the top of the SBF 120 after their annual results.
In London, Standard Charterd climbed 3.25% after announcing a share repurchase worth $ 1.5 billion and an increase of 18% of its annual profit.
A Wall Street
Across the Atlantic, the main indicators dig their losses after the publication of the Household Morale index of the University of Michigan, which has reached its lowest level in more than a year.
At the time of the fence in Europe, the Dow Jones fell 0.83%, the Standard & Poor’s 500 0.55%and the Nasdaq Composite 0.68%.
In values, United Health loses 8% after press information that the American Department of Justice has opened an investigation into group practices in relation to the Medicare program. In its wake, Humana fell by 3.83%.
The indicators of the day
Retail sales in Great Britain have rebounded more strongly than scheduled in January, showed data from the National Statistical Office.
In France, the business climate in industry has increased more than scheduled in February, according to INSEE data. On the other hand, over the same period, the activity of the private sector has contracted more than expected.
In Germany, the activity of the private sector accelerated slightly in February, while in the euro zone, it remained sluggish.
Across the Atlantic, household morale has accused a more marked decline than scheduled in February, its index of confidence reaching a lower for more than a year.
Changes
The dollar recovers part of its losses against Yen, investors trying to position themselves before the data on American inflation next week and pending more indications on customs duties promised by Donald Trump.
The greenback is reinforced by 0.30% against a basket of reference currencies.
The euro lost 0.49% to 1.0449 dollars.
RATE
US bond yields are retreating again Friday after Scott Bessent’s comments, secretary to the Treasury, reassured concerns about the possibility of an increase in the long -term debt auction.
The yield of ten -year -old Treasuries gives 4.3 bp to 4.4565%, the two years 2.1 pb to 4.2448%.
Two days before the anticipated legislative elections in Germany, the yield of the German Bund at ten years fell from 6.9 pb to 2.4640% and the two years from 5.0 pb to 2.1010%.
OIL
Oil prices are down on Friday but still tend to a positive weekly fence against the backdrop of disruption of the supply chain in Russia and a rebound potential for demand in China and the United States.
The Brent sold 1.96% to $ 74.98 per barrel and light American crude (West Texas Intermediate, WTI) 2.06% to $ 70.99.
Metals
Gold prices stabilize Friday after reaching two consecutive records, the demand for “safe” assets remaining important in the face of concerns about the customs duties provided for by Donald Trump.
The Spot course fell 0.06% to 2938.7 $ dollars.
To follow the week of February 24:
The week of February 24 promises to be rich in economic indicators and business results. Monday, the markets will be able to digest the result of the anticipated legislative elections in Germany, which will take place on Sunday, February 23.
(Written by Pauline Foret, edited by Augustin Turpin)
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