Paris (AFP)

The Paris Bourse walked cautiously in the green (+ 0.37%) Friday mid-session, guided by a resumption of hopes on the trade file pending figures on the US labor market.

At 13:55 (12:55 GMT), the CAC 40 index took 21.32 points to 5,822.87 points, in a trading volume of 1.1 billion euros. The day before, the index ended almost at equilibrium (+ 0.03%).

The Parisian coast has remained moderately in the green since the opening.

Wall Street was preparing to open in positive territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Average index futures contract gained 0.18%, the broad-based S & P 500 index 0.17% and the technology-rich Nasdaq index 0.28%.

"Cautious optimism about Sino-US trade is driving European markets," said David Madden, analyst at CMC Markets.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday has "very good discussions with China" while he hinted Tuesday that an agreement with Beijing could be postponed after the US presidential 2020.

"We have already heard this speech and Mr. Trump runs the risk of being the boy crying wolf," said Madden.

The evolution, regularly contradictory, of the commercial negotiations, rhythm the markets for months.

"These hesitations are reinforced by the prospect of December 15, when additional tariffs must be put in place by the United States on Chinese imports," said Franklin Pichard, CEO of Kiplink Finance.

"Investors will pay close attention today to the US employment figures, and they will once again assess the impact of the trade dispute with China on the US economy," he added.

In addition to trade tensions, China announced Friday measures of "retaliation" against American diplomats present on its soil, the latter must now notify the authorities before meeting officials or experts.

Relations have further deteriorated in recent weeks after US Congressional votes denounced China's policies in Hong Kong and the predominantly Muslim region of Xinjiang (north-west).

Pro-democracy campaigners are once again en masse on Sunday in the streets of the former British colony for a large rally meant to offer the authorities a "last chance" to meet their demands.

- SMCP and Ipsen severely punished -

SMCP fell 21.2% to 8.46 euros after lowering its adjusted EBITDA margin target for 2019 mainly due to a "sharp deterioration" in the Hong Kong market.

Ipsen collapsed 20.2% to 77.65 euros because of the partial suspension of several studies on palovarotene, a promising molecule to treat rare bone diseases.

Tarkett was down 7.08% at 12.73 euros after downgrading its earnings targets for 2019.

On the other hand, Pernod Ricard benefited (+ 0.71% to 162.40 euros) of an increase of the recommendation of Citi on the title to "purchase" against "neutral" previously.

Airbus yielded 0.52% to 126.34 euros. The aerospace giant has delivered 77 aircraft and registered 222 orders during a prosperous November after an already historic October.

Schneider Electric advanced 1.08% to 89.66 euros following the sale of Converse, a German specialist in the construction of electrical sites, the giant construction Vinci which gained 0.37% to 97.52 euros.

GTT gained 0.69% to 80.35 euros after obtaining a contract with the Korean Samsung for the design of tanks in two future ships.

© 2019 AFP