The CAC has posted gains in the Thursday session, erasing the losses which marked Wednesday trade. Currently, the CAC is at 5423.30, up 0.46% on the day. On the release front, Eurozone CPI Flash Estimate edged up to 1.5%, missing the estimate of 1.6%. French Preliminary CPI remained unchanged at 0.1% in November, matching the forecast. On Friday, the eurozone and France release Manufacturing Final PMI reports.
Bank stocks have made gains this week, following testimony from Fed Chair Designate Jerome Powell. On the CAC, Credit Agricole has gained 1.41% on Thursday. At a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Powell, said that he favored tailoring regulations for small banks, leaving the toughest regulations for the largest banks. Powell takes over the helm of the Federal Reserve in February, and is expected to continue the Fed’s current monetary policy, which has been marked by small, incremental gains.
French President Emmanuel Macron has big plans for reforming the eurozone, including a parliament, budget and finance minister for the bloc. However, he will need the help of Angela Merkel to realize these aspirations, and Merkel has her hands full on the domestic scene, as she tries to form a new government. Coalition talks fell apart after the Free Democrats pulled the plug, and Merkel has now entered into exploratory talks with its former coalition partner, the social democrats (SPD). However, many SPD members don’t want the SPD to be relegated to a junior party in the coalition, as was the case prior to the election. The SPD is likely to take advantage of Merkel’s weak hand and press demands for greater government spending and a looser immigration policy, and could demand the powerful finance ministry as their price to enter a Merkel government.
