Paris (AFP)

The Paris Bourse ended close to balance (+ 0.14%) Wednesday, avoiding any initiative before the verdict of the Fed expected in the evening, and despite encouraging signs on the Sino-US trade front.

The CAC 40 index plummeted 7.83 points to 5.518.90 points, in a trade volume fed of 4.05 billion euros. The day before, it ended down 1.61%.

The Parisian coast stagnated most of the morning before venturing more frankly in the green, to finally retreat and close around the balance.

"The CAC 40 starts a rebound attempt favored by positive statements after the (trade) Sino-US talks and of course in the perspective of the beginning of a cycle of rate cuts that could begin tonight with a reduction of 25 basis points in the United States ", summarized with AFP Daniel Larrouturou, equity manager at Dôm Finance.

"It would be very surprising that the Fed is doing something other than what the market is waiting for," he said.

After ten years of uninterrupted growth in the US economy, the Fed is expected to join the camp of central banks that adopt an accommodative monetary policy by lowering interest rates Wednesday for the first time since 2008.

In commercial matters, Chinese and Americans have agreed to meet again in September in the United States after exchanges "frank, effective and constructive" Wednesday in Shanghai to try to stop their conflict, despite strong criticism of Donald Trump the day before to against Beijing.

On the indicators side, growth in the euro zone slowed in the second quarter, as did inflation in July, confirming the sluggish economy despite the decline in unemployment. Job creation in the private sector in the United States rebounded sharply in July, and more than expected, according to ADP's monthly survey.

- The banking sector pulled by BNP -

In terms of values, the publications, still numerous, continued to animate the rating.

EssilorLuxottica has gained 3.46% to 122.65 euros in the wake of the announcement of the acquisition of the Dutch distributor GrandVision for 7.1 billion euros.

VINCI was raised (+ 3.60% to 93.24 euros) by an increase above expectations of its half-year revenues and net profit.

BNP Paribas benefited for its part (+ 1.59% to 42.18 euros) of a net profit up 3.1% in the second quarter.

In its wake, Societe Generale gained 0.68% to 22.21 euros and Crédit Agricole has appreciated 1.27% to 10.78 euros. Natixis rose by 0.44% to 3.64 euros.

Air France-KLM benefited fully (+ 8.45% to 9.42 euros) from a "solid" second quarter in a competitive environment where the group should be better armed in the low-cost segment after the green light of the first pilot union to a limitless development of Transavia France.

Airbus advanced 0.27% to 128.06 euros, with a net profit more than doubled in the first half, when his rival Boeing through the worst crisis in its history with the immobilization of its 737MAX.

L'Oréal (-2.18% to 242 euros), conversely, was penalized by a half-year profit hampered by exceptional items, despite dynamic sales.

Bic plunged 8.51% to 62.90 euros, weighted by the decline in profitability in the second quarter under the effect of currency and commodity costs, while sales were stable.

© 2019 AFP