The star CAC 40 index crumbled by 4.75 points (-0.07%) to 7,132.35 points.

The day before, it had fallen sharply (-1.34%) after reaching its highest level since January 10, 2022 at the end of last week, close to its historic record.

The Paris odds hovered around balance throughout the session, sagging a little after the US markets opened.

"It's quite calm, we are quietly digesting the macroeconomic data from the end of last week, which show that the American economy is more robust than expected", describes Alexandre Neuvy, manager of Amplegest.

Investors are oscillating between the hope that key central bank rates will fall during the year and solid employment figures in the United States, pointing in the direction of continued inflationary pressures.

They therefore need "to know if the next figures will be of the same ilk", according to Mr. Neuvy, but will have to wait because no leading indicator is expected until the end of the week, except the US consumer confidence barometer on Friday.

It was therefore the words of central bankers after the Paris close, such as Jerome Powell of the Fed or Isabel Schnabel of the European Central Bank, that occupied the minds of investors.

They are awaiting clarification on the trajectory of key rates on both sides of the Atlantic.

On the bond market, the rate of the French 10-year loan, the maturity which refers, increased slightly to turn around 2.76%.

Geopolitical tensions between China and the United States have also penalized companies present in China such as in the luxury sector, heavyweights in the index, or the spirits Pernod Ricard and Remy Cointreau.

Record profit for BNP

The first European bank BNP Paribas recorded a record net profit in 2022, at 10.2 billion euros, up 7.5% year on year, and raised the objectives of its strategic plan for 2025. Its action has gained 2.62% to 62.34 euros and led the other stocks in the sector, Société Générale (+ 1.71% to 28.03 euros) and Crédit Agricole (+ 0.87% to 11.14 euros).

Scor aims less, but better

The reinsurer Scor announced on Tuesday a reduction in its reinsurance premiums of 12.1% during the renewals of January 1, 2023, due to a reduction in its exposure to the most expensive segments with the objective of returning to the green.

Investors appreciated and the title took 5.54% to 22.3 euros.

The indented distribution

The retail groups Carrefour (-4.98% to 16.61 euros) and Casino (-3.63% to 11.42 euros) fell after a negative rating from Exane analysts on the first.

© 2023 AFP