The star CAC 40 index took 50.57 points to 6,476.18 points.

The day before, it had fallen by 1.66% due to fears about global growth.

The Parisian rating was rather indecisive during a session which was an opportunity to "catch its breath", after the fall of the American indices on Friday and before the announcements of the Federal Reserve (Fed) on Wednesday evening, notes Gilles Guibout , Head of European Equities at Axa IM.

While the United States is facing inflation at its highest level in 40 years, most investors foresee an increase in key rates by half a percentage point to fix them between 0.75% and 1%.

It would be the first time in more than 20 years that the Fed would operate a tightening of this magnitude.

The monetary tightening of the Federal Reserve, whose meeting began on Tuesday, will not cause a major correction in the equity markets, according to Gilles Guibout.

The rise in interest rates indeed weighs on the valuation of shares which no longer necessarily rise "despite publications of company results which have been good on the whole", he explains.

Regarding the health of companies, investors are now wondering "if there will be declines in the volume of activity, given that consumer demand decreases due to price increases" and if pressure on margins will appear, anticipates Gilles Guibout.

Economic growth is showing signs of flagging around the world due in particular to the war in Ukraine and the disruption caused by the confinements in China.

BNP supports banks

After a record year in 2021, the largest French bank BNP achieved better than expected results in the first quarter, with net profit of 2.1 billion euros, up 19.2% year on year.

Its title gained 5.15% to 51.32 euros.

Societe Generale (+3.15% to 23.41 euros) and Crédit Agricole (+2.62% to 10.48 euros) took advantage of this momentum.

New projects for Stellantis and Faurecia

With the acquisition announced on Tuesday of the German car-sharing company Share Now, Stellantis and its subsidiary Free2Move are establishing themselves in 14 new cities in Europe and confirming their ambition to become one of the leaders in new mobility.

The manufacturer gained 2.92% to 12.98 euros, and Renault 3.83% to 24.15 euros.

Still in the automotive field, the equipment manufacturer Faurecia (+2.09% to 21.04 euros) and the water and waste giant Veolia (+1.37% to 27.46 euros) announced a cooperation for develop the use of recycled plastic inside cars.

© 2022 AFP