Paris Stock Exchange closed down 0.15% at 7409 points, influenced by declines in Vivendi and Sanofi shares. The ECB’s fourth rate cut this year raised expectations for easing in 2025, though analysts criticized its lack of aggressive measures. In the U.S., markets were flat with slight increases in import prices. Eurozone industrial production remained steady. The euro rose 0.2% against the dollar, while corporate news included contracts won by Smulders and Sanofi’s FDA designation for tolebrutinib.
Paris Stock Exchange Ends Session with Minor Decline
The Paris Stock Exchange wrapped up the trading session with a slight dip of 0.15%, settling at 7409 points. This decline was largely influenced by notable drops in shares of Vivendi (-2.8%) and Sanofi (-1.7%). Over the week, the Paris index managed to limit its overall decline to just above 0.2%. Investors received the news of François Bayrou’s appointment to Matignon with little excitement, as the prevailing political uncertainty in France appears to be already factored into the market.
Global Economic Indicators and Company News
On the bond market, OATs are currently trading around 3.03%, while German Bunds are at 2.24%, maintaining a spread of below 80 basis points. In a recent decision, the European Central Bank (ECB) opted to cut its key rates for the fourth time this year. The monetary policy statement and subsequent press conference led by Christine Lagarde, the ECB President, heightened expectations for continued monetary easing in 2025. Although this outlook typically favors equity markets, some analysts expressed disappointment regarding the ECB’s cautious tone and reluctance to introduce more substantial growth-supportive measures. Ann-Katrin Petersen from the BlackRock Investment Institute remarked that the central bank did not deliver a substantial ‘Christmas gift’ to the markets by dismissing the possibility of stronger support measures.
Over in the United States, market movements remained subdued, with the Nasdaq down by 0.2%, the S&P 500 by 0.1%, and the Dow Jones remaining virtually unchanged. Recent statistics revealed that U.S. import prices rose by 0.1% in November compared to the prior month, while export prices remained stable. Year-on-year, U.S. import and export prices saw increases of 1.3% and 0.8%, respectively.
In Europe, data released this morning indicated that seasonally adjusted industrial production in the eurozone remained stable, with a 0.3% rise in the EU. Notably, investment goods production rose by 1.7%, whereas energy, durable goods, and non-durable goods saw declines. Additionally, consumer prices in France increased by 1.3% in November, reflecting a slight acceleration from the previous month’s 1.2%. Meanwhile, Germany’s trade surplus dropped to 13.4 billion euros in October, down from 16.9 billion in September, highlighting ongoing challenges within Europe’s largest economy.
On the foreign exchange front, the euro gained 0.2% against the dollar, trading at 1.049$/€. In corporate news, Smulders, a Belgian subsidiary of Eiffage Métal, has secured an EPC contract from Chantiers de l’Atlantique for the jacket foundations of two electrical substations linked to future offshore wind farms. Additionally, Teleperformance announced the cancellation of 864,458 self-held shares, amounting to 1.42% of its share capital, following authorization from the AGM earlier this year. Lastly, Sanofi revealed that its drug tolebrutinib has received ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ designation from the FDA for treating secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) in adults.