Paris (AFP)

The Paris Bourse fell (-1.62%) Thursday at midday, weighed down by a consequent salvo of corporate results marked by the pandemic.

At 12:45 p.m., the CAC 40 index lost 80.20 points to 4,878.54 points. The day before, it had finished up 0.60%.

The Parisian coast started in small ebb and accentuated its decline over the morning.

Wall Street was also preparing, for its part, to open in the red. The futures contract on the flagship Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.87%, that on the broader S&P 500 index by 0.93% and the technology-heavy Nasdaq by 1%.

Stocks are in the red today and "risk aversion dominates," noted David Madden, an analyst at CMC Markets.

Investors started the day by learning about the Fed's decision to keep its key rates in the 0 to 0.25% range, saying they would stay at that level until the economy fully recovered from the market. shock.

"Monetary officials have affirmed their determination to maintain an accommodative policy by going well beyond 2021," commented Michael Hewson, an analyst at CMC Markets.

The Parisian quotation also took note of the historic decline of 10.1% of the German gross domestic product in the second quarter, as a result of restrictive measures linked to the coronavirus.

The sanction promises to be severe also in the United States with an equally expected plunge in GDP, at the same time when the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 is at the highest in the country.

The indicators agenda also includes weekly claims for unemployment benefits in the United States.

- Teleperformance in shape -

On the microeconomic level, the Parisian rating had a lot to do with a wave of results, all marked by the pandemic.

Teleperformance took the lead of the CAC 40 index with a jump of 5.02% to 249.10 euros, thanks to stronger organic growth than expected and favorable business prospects even if the group saw its net profit fall further. 55% in the first half due to the impact of the crisis.

At the other end URW brought up the rear (-6.69% to 45.07 euros) marked by a fall of 14.2% of its half-yearly income after having had to close many centers during the peak of the health crisis.

Orange (-4.64% to 9.98 euros) suffered from a net profit down 10.7% over the half-year, which is mainly explained by an increase in provisions related to risks and litigation.

Danone was penalized (-6.77% to 56.18 euros) by a turnover down 8.3%.

Hermès was also poorly oriented (-3.10% to 713.20 euros) weighed down by a net profit falling by 55% in the first half, even if the group reported a "context of gradual improvement started in June ".

For Casino, the sanction was very heavy (-15.39% to 22.05 euros) while the group worsened its net loss and publishes a decrease in turnover in the first half.

Plunge also for Eramet (-14.18% to 23.90 euros) in the wake of a net loss in the first half, penalized in particular by an exceptional charge linked to Covid-19.

The good surprises, despite the aftermath of the crisis, were also there, in particular for the FDJ, at the head of the SBF 120 with a jump of 13.37% to 30.45 euros after having managed to limit the impact pandemic, thanks to a savings plan that has stabilized its profitability.

Airbus was also well oriented (+ 3.49% to 64.35 euros), like Safran (+ 4.48% to 94.76 euros).

Orapi soared 51.65% to 5.96 euros, after the manufacturer and distributor of hygiene products announced the completion of a complex financial restructuring.

© 2020 AFP