Paris (AFP)

The Paris Bourse ended up 0.24% on Monday and hit new highs, driven by investor optimism over monetary policy, on the eve of the US central bank meeting.

The CAC 40 index took 15.69 points to 6,616.35 points, a closing high since September 14, 2000. On Friday, it jumped 0.83%, finishing above 6,600 points for the first time. since September 15, 2000.

"The market continues to grow, the European stock markets are very close to their historical records," notes Daniel Larrouturou, equity manager at Dôm Finance.

The star index of the Parisian market briefly passed above 6,650 points, shortly after the opening this morning, a first since September 14, 2000.

"The CAC 40 is still supported by the very large capitalizations of luxury goods, in particular LVMH and L'Oréal", adds the analyst of Dôm Finance.

Overall, markets were buoyed by investor confidence that central banks are not expected to review their accommodative monetary policy anytime soon.

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) is holding its monetary policy meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.

And if inflation is going to be at the heart of the discussions, it will take more to persuade the Fed to reduce its support for the economy, starting with a clearer improvement on the employment side.

Thus, the status quo is expected at the end of the meeting, even if the speech of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell could begin to prepare investors for a game-changer.

Technological stocks in good shape

Taking advantage of the situation on the bond market, where rates have been very low for several days, technology stocks were in good shape on Monday.

Dassault Systèmes took 1.12% to 194.45 euros, Capgemini ended up 0.70% to 158.50 euros.

Raw materials fuel

Commodity-related securities benefited from the sharp rise in crude prices, which started the week on new records thanks to the anticipated rebound in demand.

At the top of the CAC 40, TotalEnergies gained 1.38% to 40.89 euros.

Eramet took 0.98% to 56.50 euros.

EDF on alert

EDF fell 0.58% to 11.99 euros after announcing that one of the EPR reactors at the Taishan nuclear power plant in southern China suffered an "increase in the concentration of certain rare gases" in a circuit.

CNN had previously reported a possible leak, while the central assures that the situation is normal.

© 2021 AFP