Paris (AFP)

The Paris Bourse ended in green Thursday (+ 0.68%), closing at its highest annual level, after a decision of the Fed welcomed by investors despite a moderately easy message.

The CAC 40 index gained 38.43 points to 5.659.08 points, in an average trade volume of 3.2 billion euros. The day before, he had finished the balance (+ 0.09%).

The Parisian coast opened to balance before gaining momentum, finally ending at a new high in closing.

"The market, euphoric, continues its momentum and comes closer to its annual highs of the year" in session, 5,672.77 points, told AFP Marco Bruzzo, managing director at Mirabaud AM.

"Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's comment, which was expected as the big event of the week, did not worry investors," he added.

As anticipated by the markets, the US central bank on Wednesday announced a modest drop in interest rates, 25 basis points, the second in two months, but the Monetary Committee appeared very divided on the decision.

The surprise in the Fed's communication was that "three members were not in favor of lowering rates", according to Bruzzo, but the fact that the US Central Bank "continues to be right in its boots, saying that 'it would take the time to act' according to the evolution of economic data, was 'rather well perceived by the market'.

Investors' increased appetite for risk was also reflected in a sector turnover in securities, which benefited banks in the first place.

"The banking sector and cyclical stocks," particularly the automobile, "are picking up on their colors," said Bruzzo.

Oil prices are also rising Wednesday after reports that Saudi Arabia was looking to buy crude and oil products to foreign countries.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is touring the Gulf, assured his side on Thursday in Abu Dhabi that the United States favored a "peaceful solution" with Iran, which he accuses of being at the helm. origin of the recent attack on oil installations in Saudi Arabia.

On the indicator side, home resales in the United States rose in August for the second month in a row, surprising analysts, while manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region (northeastern United States) slowed in December. September but less than expected, industry remains optimistic for the future.

- Banks draw the rating -

In the field of securities, the banks ended up in the top quartet of the CAC 40. Societe Generale took 2.71% to 26.00 euros, Credit Agricole 1.95% to 11.25 euros and BNP Paribas 2.16 % to 44.75 euros.

ArcelorMittal suffered however (-4.78% to 14.07 euros) forecasts lower than the expectations of US steelmaker US Steel.

Air Liquide rose 1.40% to 130.00 euros in the wake of the announcement of an investment of more than 270 million dollars (245 M EUR) for the construction of two gas separation units of the in the United States under a contract with Canadian chemist Methanex.

Casino was raised (+ 2.29% to 43.83 euros) by news reports that the group would be in negotiations to sell its subsidiary Leader Price to Aldi.

© 2019 AFP