Sign that the markets are still very feverish, gold crossed for the first time in its history the bar in 1900 dollars an ounce to more than 1914 dollars exactly. Nevertheless, the Cac 40 was able to continue to rise on Tuesday, after gaining 1.14% to 3051.36 points at the close Monday. The index, which accounted for more than 2% in morning reduced its gains later and was up 1.08% to 3084.37 points at closing.
Of the other major European stock markets, the FTSE-100 from the London Stock Exchange gained 0.67% at end-30 Dax and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange is 1.07%.Wall Street closed Monday evening while a cautious rebound Asian stock markets advance slowly, scheduled to open on Tuesday, and more open up if we believe the index futures.
While awaiting the president's speech to the U.S. central bank, Ben Bernanke, Friday, and the publication of the second estimate of U.S. GDP in the second quarter, the same day, the markets remain nervous and are attentive to the situation in Libya where the prospect of regime change seems inevitable after 42 years of rule of Colonel Gaddafi. The wait also dominates the New York Stock Exchange opened in a small increase.
Oil prices retreat slightly
As a result, oil prices are cautious on Tuesday. a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery barrel of Brent took only 18 cents to 108.54 dollars, after losing 18 cents in early trade.In New York, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October has opened up 66 cents to 85.06 dollars.
On the macroeconomic front, the growth in activity in France has re-accelerated slightly in August, but three months to offset the sharp slowdown that has just experienced. The manufacturing PMI rose to 53.6 points against 53.2 in July.
But, overall, the indicators of the day are at least mixed. The barometer of confidence Zew, who searches the expectations of German financial community, still has significantly declined in August for the sixth consecutive time. Private activity in euro area, it stagnated and remains at a low of nearly two years.
In the U.S., sales of new homes in July emerged declined by 0.7% in July, after falling 2.9% in June, according to figures released Tuesday by the Commerce Department.On an annual basis, the sales trend was 298,000 units, after 300 000 (revised 312000) in June. Analysts on average had forecast 310,000.
On the corporate side, while the regime of Colonel Gaddafi is expected to end, the oil is in the form: Technip wins 1.45% to 60.69 euros and total advances of 1.15% to 33.085 euros.
The CAC was increased by cyclic: Air Liquide (2.85% to 68.22 euros) signed the largest increase in the Paris index.
Schneider Electric: + 2.09% to 86.63 euros
Schneider Electric continues for the second time its tender offer in cash on all shares of Spanish Telvent at a price of 40 dollars per share.
Carrefour: + 0.62% to 18.755 euros
Carrefour announced Monday the appointment of Thierry Garnier, currently executive director of distribution group for growth markets, the Executive Director for China and Taiwan, replacing Eric Legros.
Sanofi: + 1.68% to 49.95 euros
Aventis Pharma, Indian subsidiary of Sanofi, is close to buying activities without prescription Universal Medicare, an unlisted Indian pharmaceutical company to 75.8 million euros, said on Tuesday two sources close to the situation.
Societe Generale: -0.31% to 21 euros
Societe Generale has asked the bank Rothschild to set up a liquidity contract with a budget of 170 million euros to support its action, which has lost more than 40% of its value in a month.