by Mara Vilcu

(Reuters) – European scholarships ended up on Wednesday, after the announcement by US President Donald Trump from a trade agreement with Japan, which also revived the hope of progress in customs duties between the United States and the European Union (EU).

In Paris, the CAC 40 won 1.37% at 7,850.43 points. In Frankfurt, the Dax advanced by 0.73% and in London, the FTSE 100 took 0.42%.

The Eurostoxx 50 index won 1.02%, the FTSEURofirst 300 1.10%and the Stoxx 600 1.09%.

This Wednesday, commercial negotiations were, once again, at the center of attention.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced the conclusion of a highly anticipated trade agreement with Japan, which notably provides for customs duties of 15% on products from the Asian country. It is expected to relieve the Japanese automotive industry, so far threatened by a 25%potential US surcharge.

“The United States has worked hard to conclude a large number of trade agreements before the deadline of August 1, and it seems that they are starting to obtain results. I therefore think that it is a very positive sign,” said Chris Zaccarelli, director of investments at Northlight Asset Management.

The White House tenant also said that EU representatives would go to Washington on Wednesday for commercial negotiations. “Europe will come tomorrow and others will come the next day,” said the American president.

In addition, the American secretary to the Treasury, Scott Bessent, said on Tuesday that he would meet his Chinese counterpart on Monday and Tuesday in Stockholm and discuss a possible postponement of the deadline of August 12 for an increase in customs duties envisaged by the United States against China.

In addition to customs duties, investors have focused their attention on a series of business results, before the decision of the European Central Bank (ECB) on interest rates that is expected on Thursday.

VALUES

Alstom advanced 5.96% after reporting a better than expected turnover in the first quarter of its fiscal year on Wednesday.

Dassault Aviation abandoned more than 8% despite a slight improvement in its turnover and its profit in the first half.

Elsewhere in Europe, Nokia, which lowered its operating profit forecast on Tuesday for 2025, lost 7.57%.

A Wall Street

At the time of the fence in Europe, the Dow Jones earned 0.72%, the Standard & Poor’s 500 0.48%and the Nasdaq Composite 0.38%.

The indicators of the day

Consumer confidence in the euro zone has improved more than expected over one month in July, shows a preliminary estimate published Wednesday by the European Commission.

Changes

The Yen, which experienced significant fluctuations, appreciates against the dollar and the euro on Wednesday, investors evaluating speculation on the future of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and the announcement by US President Donald Trump of a trade agreement with Japan.

The yen is exchanged at 146.42 for a dollar (+0.14%).

The dollar earns 0.08% against a basket of reference currencies.

The euro lost 0.23% to 1.1726 dollars.

RATE

Bond returns in the euro zone increased on Wednesday, the announcement by US President Donald Trump of a trade agreement with Japan having rekindled the hope of new agreements and appeased concerns about the impact of American customs duties.

The yield of Treasuries at ten years is advancing from 4.2 base points to 4.3778%. The two years earns 3.4 base points at 3.8652%.

The yield of the German Bund at ten years earns 1.0 base points at 2.5990%. The two years advances from 0.1 base point to 1.7960%.

OIL

Oil prices are in small decrease on Wednesday, divided between the hope of commercial breakthroughs and caution as the EU-China summit is planned for Thursday.

Brent abandoned 0.74% to 68.08 dollars per barrel and American brut (West Texas Intermediate, WTI) lost 0.73% to 64.83 dollars.

To be continued on July 24:

(Some data may accuse a slight offset)

(Written by Mara Vîlcu, edited by Jean-Stéphane Brosse)

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