Paris (AFP)

The Paris Stock Exchange ended slightly higher Thursday (+ 0.21%), investors awaiting details of the partial trade agreement between China and the United States and remaining indifferent to the impeachment trial against the American president.

The CAC 40 index gained 12.68 points to 5,972.28 points, in a moderate trading volume of 3.26 billion euros. The day before, it had finished in very slight decline of 0.15%.

"Investors remain vigilant while awaiting clarification on the phase 1 trade agreement between China and the United States," Philippe Cohen, manager at Kiplink Finance, told AFP. Consequently, the market "lacks a bit of fuel".

This early agreement, announced Friday and which could be formally signed in January, reduces the risk of recession and reassures market players.

In this context, China published on Thursday a list of American chemicals that will be exempt from customs surcharges implemented last year, starting on December 26 for a period of one year.

In addition, the indictment the day before of Donald Trump by the House of Representatives, synonymous with the impeachment trial for the American president, "does not move the market more than that because it knows the end", also observes the specialist.

"The only thing is that it gives the signal that the presidential campaign is going to be under tension, extremely + divisive + for American society," he adds.

The House of Representatives, dominated by Democrats, ruled Wednesday evening in favor of the "impeachement" of the 73-year-old Republican billionaire for "abuse of power".

It will now be up to the Senate, where the Republicans have the majority, to judge Donald Trump, presumably in January.

In terms of economics, home resales in the United States fell more sharply in November than expected by analysts.

- Renault degraded -

In the field of values, Renault lost 0.22% to 43.43 euros. The financial rating agency S&P Global Ratings downgraded by a notch, to BBB +, the long-term rating of its ally, the Japanese car manufacturer Nissan, believing that it was not going to suddenly revive its accounts short term.

Engie reacted little (+ 0.10% to 15.50 euros) to the announcement by Energias de Portugal (EDP) of the sale of six hydroelectric plants, for an amount of 2.2 billion euros, to a consortium French led by the energetician.

Michelin took 0.41% to 111.05 euros and Faurecia sold 0.70% to 49.65 euros while the hydrogen fuel cell plant wanted by automotive suppliers will be located in the metropolitan area of ​​Lyon .

Guerbet, however, sank 13.9% to 45 euros, penalized by the announcement of a change of general manager from January 1.

© 2019 AFP