Paris (AFP)

The Paris Bourse ended in sharp decline (-1.22%) Friday, the multiple uncertainties about the US stimulus policy, the health situation and Brexit weighing on investor morale.

The CAC 40 index lost 61.3 points, falling below the psychological threshold of 5,000 points (to 4,978.18 points).

It crumbles by 0.93% over the week as a whole and has fallen by 16.57% since January 1.

"Investors are struggling to keep risks open all weekend, knowing that there is still uncertainty over a new US stimulus plan still under discussion," said Laurent Le Grin, CEO at Degroofpetercam.

"The market expects significant stimulus measures in the United States before the US election," he told AFP, after the week was dominated by meetings of several central banks.

Although consumer confidence in the United States improved more than expected in September, it did not overcome the prevailing feverishness in European markets.

And for good reason: "the uncertainty about the outcome of discussions on the future trade relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom post-Brexit" weighs casually on the European market ", observes Mr. Le Grin .

The wave of infections in Europe and the fact that the British government does not rule out resorting to a new general containment for all of England "also alarms investors" who also hear "discordant notes" on the calendar around 'a vaccine against Covid-19.

Therefore, "they are waiting for the next catalysts" to move the indices forward or backward, according to the expert.

On the geopolitical side, Sino-American relations are not reassuring either.

By banning the downloading of WeChat and TikTok applications in the United States from Sunday, US President Donald Trump is stepping up his standoff with China, while negotiations with the Chinese parent company of TikTok to sell its activities on American soil to an American group trample.

- Unibail continues to fall -

The Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield property company continued its fall (-10.53% to 32.20 euros) to reach a low that dates back 20 years, suffering the full brunt of the decline in consumers towards online purchases.

Carrefour also finished in the red (-2.89% to 13.43 euros).

Lagardère, which was the subject of several downgrades of recommendation on its title the two preceding days, unscrewed of 12.48% to 15.22 euros.

In a race against time to try to find investors and avoid being swallowed up by his old rival Veolia, Suez dropped 2.63% to 14.65 euros.

Willing for its part to negotiate with Engie (-1.86% to 11.60 euros), Veolia for its part sold 0.69% to 18.76 euros.

© 2020 AFP