Paris (AFP)

The Paris Bourse ended Monday at the highest since February 2020 a session with reduced volumes due to the closure of the American and Chinese markets.

The flagship CAC 40 index rose 82.58 points to 5,786.25 points, its highest closing level since February 26, 2020. Friday, the Parisian rating had finished on an increase of 0.60%.

"Buyers have taken control of the markets. Investors are rather optimistic" and hope for stronger growth than expected this year, comments Valentin Bulle, manager at Dôm Finances.

"In Europe, the rise in the markets is mainly printed by banking stocks and by all companies linked to the economic cycle," he told AFP, while Vivendi led and fired the Paris meeting.

"On the results already published, we had rather good surprises" and investors "have the feeling that the economy is better", underlines the expert, hence the sharp rise in rates on the bond market.

The environment in favor of risky assets is fueled by the accommodating monetary policies of central banks and the prospect of the imminent adoption of the stimulus plan desired by United States President Joe Biden.

The arrival of the former president of the European Central Bank (ECB), Mario Draghi, at the head of Italy also reassures investors about the rapid implementation of a plan of more than 200 billion euros funded by the European Union to fly to the rescue of the peninsula, shattered by the devastating effects of the pandemic.

Anti-Covid vaccination campaigns appeared to be gaining momentum, especially in Europe, where the UK has vaccinated 15 million people.

The European Union, accused of being slow, has indicated that it will speed up the authorization procedure for improved vaccines to respond to variants of the virus.

The World Health Organization also granted emergency approval Monday for AstraZeneca's anti-Covid vaccine, which paves the way for the distribution of hundreds of millions of doses to disadvantaged countries hitherto deprived of immunization.

Vivendi finished at the top (+ 19.62% to 31.22 euros) of the index after announcing on Saturday that it wanted to put its subsidiary Universal Music Group (UMG) on the stock market by the end of the year and distribute 60 of them. % of the capital to its shareholders.

The Bolloré title climbed 14.62% to 4.15 euros.

Bolstered by the rise in sovereign interest rates in the euro zone, Societe Generale rose 6.46% to 18.92 euros, BNP 2.30% to 47.55 euros and Crédit Agricole 2.02% to 11 ,10 euros.

CNP Assurances gained 3.73% to 13.92 euros and Axa 2.51% to 19.63 euros.

© 2021 AFP