Paris (AFP)

The Paris Stock Exchange retreated Monday at mid-session under the effect of global economic concerns, while the company Stellantis, resulting from the marriage between PSA and Fiat Chrysler, started strong in Paris and Milan.

Around 12:45 p.m. (11:45 a.m. GMT), the flagship CAC 40 index lost 22.53 points to 5,589.16 points.

In Frankfurt, the DAX lost 0.04% and in London the FTSE 100 0.34%.

"Persistent uncertainties about the speed of reopening of economies weigh on market sentiment today, especially after the record of a record number of infections in some US states such as Florida and Arizona," observes Pierre Veyret, analyst for ActivTrades.

The United States posted death records at the start of the year, exceeding the threshold of 4,000 daily deaths.

Globally, the pandemic has killed at least 2,022,740 people since its discovery in China in December 2019, according to a count made by AFP from official reports provided by the authorities on Sunday.

In this context, the publication of the Chinese growth figure for 2020, of 2.3%, caused some concern, being the lowest figure for more than 40 years.

Some areas of optimism remained, however, like the start of Monday's vaccination campaign for over 75s in France.

Also a source of positive mood, the good debut on the stock exchange of Stellantis, the new group resulting from the marriage of manufacturers PSA and Fiat Chrysler and listed in Paris and Milan.

Stellantis advance

The title took 4.41% to 13.44 euros on the Paris Bourse, according to data from Facset, and 6.87% to 13.43 euros on that of Milan.

The company will also be listed on Wall Street from Tuesday.

Carrefour gets up on the wrong foot with Couche-Tard

The French group (-6.23% to 15.58 euros) and the Canadian Couche-Tard announced on Saturday that they had "interrupted" their discussions on a "friendly rapprochement", after the veto of the French government.

Frankfurt airport in arrears

The operator of the Frankfurt airport Fraport (-2.74% to 44.72 euros on the MDax) recorded in 2020 a sharp decline over one year in the number of passengers, to 18.8 million or 73% of less over a year, which brings it back to the attendance level of 1984, he said Monday.

With its main base in Frankfurt, the airline Lufthansa (-3.33% to 10.17 euros) suffers even more.

BT on trial

The British telecoms operator (-2.02% to 138.00 pence) faces legal action from customers who believe they have paid too much for their internet subscription, which could cost the group 600 million pounds according to the law firm making the complaint.

© 2021 AFP