Paris (AFP)

The Paris Stock Exchange ended up Monday (+ 0.62%), after having started the session very badly, finding its way in the wake of the dynamic start of Wall Street.

The CAC 40 index gained 27.02 points to 4,378.51 points. Friday, he dropped 4.23%.

"The European markets recovered at the end of the session. It is really the rise in American places which has given new life to Europe," estimated Alexandre Baradez, an analyst at IG France, from AFP.

"But it is premature to conclude that the markets are completely reassured," he added.

"The extension of measures in the United States" has had a positive effect, but caution remains significant, according to him.

The extension of measures to contain the epidemic by US President Donald Trump, in the wake of the promulgation of an unprecedented 2.2 trillion dollar stimulus package in an attempt to avoid a lasting recession, has indeed little reassured.

Among the few glimmers of hope at the start of the afternoon, investors clung to the fact that the progression of the coronavirus in Italy continued its timid slowdown on Sunday, for the third consecutive day.

But the situation still remained extremely difficult with nearly 35,000 victims of the coronavirus, including more than 25,000 in Europe.

- Total in the lead -

In the field of values, Total took the lead in the CAC 40 index, with an increase of 8.34% to 33.57 euros despite the drop in oil prices, investors wanting to believe in the group's capacity to preserve its dividends.

At the other end, Airbus plunged 10.62% to 60.93 euros, still seriously affected by the epidemic.

LVMH resisted (+ 2.44% to 350 euros). The world luxury giant had however announced Friday that it anticipated a drop in sales ranging from 10 to 20% in the first quarter over a year, because of the epidemic linked to the coronavirus.

PSA dropped 2.45% to 11.77 euros. The automotive group, which like the rest of the sector has shutdown its factories for several days because of the coronavirus, said it was able to restart them gradually after taking a series of sanitary measures.

All car values ​​were scrutinized by the market, while the rating agency Moody's revised its forecasts for global car sales down sharply on Friday because of the Covid-19 pandemic, now counting on a fall of 14% of the market this year.

EssilorLuxottica fell 3.05% to 99.42 euros, after having suspended its "non-essential investments", while its activity is deteriorating in different areas as the pandemic spreads. The group also suspended its share buyback program announced in mid-March and which was due to end on May 27.

Compagnie des Alpes sold 5.83% to 15.50 euros.

© 2020 AFP