(CercleFinance.com) – The Paris stock market fell sharply in the morning and lost more than 3%, around 6,180 pts, as tension rose a notch in Ukraine. Last night, the Zaporijia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, was hit by Russian fire, raising fears of a possible radioactive leak.
If the fire was finally brought under control and the risk seems – for the moment – averted, this episode comes to accredit the scenario evoked yesterday by Emmanuel Macron following a telephone interview with Vladimir Poutine, according to which the ‘worst might be future’.
This element clearly fuels fears of a possible nuclear accident and the risk that the war will get out of control, analysts at Danske Bank worry this morning.
A sign of market tension, the VIX index, which measures market volatility, has gained almost 10%, to 33. As a reminder, beyond 20, the markets are generally considered to be ‘nervous’.
In this context, all European markets are unscrewing and dropping at least 2%. For its part, the price of a barrel of Brent is still moving slightly above $110 while an ounce of gold is trading for $1943.
Investors are now awaiting the publication, at the start of the followingnoon, of the official report on job creation in the United States for the month of February.
Economists expect an average of 400,000 job creations, but a figure above expectations would give the Fed the green light to raise its key rates.
In the news of French stocks, Manitou publishes for 2021 a net income group share of 87 million euros, to be compared to 40 million in 2020, as well as a current operating margin improved by 1.2 points to 6 .6%, for a turnover of 1.87 billion, up 18% on a comparable basis.
Dassault Aviation unveils 2021 net income doubled to 605 million euros and an adjusted operating margin improved by 2.5 points to 7.3%, thanks in particular to a reduction in the weight of self-financed R&D. The aircraft manufacturer’s turnover amounted to 7.23 billion euros, up nearly 32%, while its order intake amounted to 12.08 billion, once morest 3.46 billion last year. last year.
Finally, Michelin announces in a press release that it is facing significant difficulties in terms of logistics and transport to supply its factories and deliver to its customers due to the serious crisis currently unfolding in Ukraine. To optimize its operations and adapt the management of its flows, the Group has decided to stop production at some of its factories in Europe for a few days over the next few weeks.