Paris (AFP)

The Paris Stock Exchange gained 0.41% in a calm market on Monday, contenting itself with the publication of Donald Trump's decrees to help Americans affected by the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The CAC 40 index advanced 19.99 points to 4,909.51 points, in a once again low trading volume of 2.1 billion euros. On Friday, it had concluded a positive week with a slight increase of 0.09%.

The session "is not representative of a trend," said AFP Alexandre Baradez, analyst at IG France.

The CAC was pulled up by cyclical stocks, the most sensitive to the economic situation and affected by the effects of the pandemic, but "there was no specific announcement on the front of the disease or the research "to support the movement, continues Mr. Baradez.

The meeting was marked by the four decrees signed by Donald Trump over the weekend and supposed to help Americans who are unemployed or threatened with eviction from their homes because of the pandemic.

"In the short term, the effect is positive because the decrees have been able to unblock some fears", according to the specialist. Negotiations on the new measures dragged on in Congress as the first federal state aid measures ended on July 31.

However, "in the medium term, there is a risk of a legal battle", points out Mr. Baradez, because it is to Congress that the American constitution entrusts most of the country's budgetary decisions.

The effects of the pandemic, which has killed at least 731,518 people around the world according to an AFP report, continue to be felt as many countries fear a resurgence of contaminations.

In France, the economic recovery continued in July but activity remains at a lower than normal level, confirmed a study published by the Banque de France.

- Retaliatory measures -

Investors have also followed the increasingly strained relations between the United States and China.

Beijing on Monday announced sanctions against 11 US officials, including Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, in retaliation for similar moves by Washington against Chinese officials accused of undermining Hong Kong's autonomy.

The retaliatory measures "remain symbolic", but the persistent tensions "could weigh on American technology stocks", engines of the rebound of world markets, according to Mr. Baradez.

In terms of values, those most sensitive to the economic situation and affected by the crisis have recovered a little.

This is the case of the automobile, with Renault which gained 5.80% to 24.08 euros, returning almost to its level before July 30 and the publication of its half-year results marked by a record loss.

Aeronautics, with Airbus up 3.98% to 72.06 euros, and raw materials with ArcelorMittal (+ 4.86% to 10.29 euros) also benefited.

The Accor hotel group advanced 4.41% to 23.69 euros on Monday following the announcement on Sunday of a partnership with Saudi Arabia for the operation of a hotel complex as part of the tourism project of 'Al-Ula (north-west).

The luxury sector suffered for its part, with Hermès which fell 1.36% to 683.40 euros or Kering which gave up 0.67% to 482.10 euros.

Alstom dropped 1.14% to 46.79 euros.

© 2020 AFP