European shares ended Thursday in a disorganized, caught between the temptation to take profits after three sessions of consecutive increase and the positive impact of a U.S. ISM index better than expected, which eased fears of an entry in recession.
However, investors prefer to remain cautious on the eve of the release of U.S. employment figures for the month of August, a critical indicator, including the decision of the Federal Reserve to support the economy.
The CAC 40 index closed up 0.28% to 3265.83 points after fluctuating in both directions.Between 19 and 31 August, the benchmark index in Paris gained almost 8%.
Other major European markets, London was up 0.45% and Milan took 0.69%, while Frankfurt lost 0.94%. The pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 index ended up on its side up 0.16%.
"At first reading, the figure of the ISM has reassured the markets. However, some components are still of concern. In all, the deterioration of the U.S. economy is not as strong as feared by consensus a very bearish," said Arnaud Cayla, managing director at Barclays Wealth Managers France."However, the activity remains fragile," he adds.
"The market now could still bet on further steps at the next monetary policy meeting of the Federal Reserve, a feeling reinforced by the expansion confirmed inflationary pressures," he says.
Defensive stocks supported the rating.Repsol has made 2.44% to 20.560 euros, Deutsche Telekom 2.19% to 8.999 euros and Sanofi 1.5% 51.420 euros.
European banks have ended on a note with an irregular European sector index up by 0.99%.
In Paris, Crédit Agricole (-2.08% to 6.679 euros) suffered the second largest drop in the CAC 40.
The euro lost ground, trading at 1.42989 / 90 dollars, against 1.4374 the previous day about the end of the day.
Illustration of investor caution, the yield on German government bonds to 10 years is down to about 2.14% against 2.22% over the closing Wednesday.