(Boursier.com) — In still limited business volumes for this penultimate session of 2022, the Paris market is choosing to be positive. The CAC40 ends with a gain of +0.97% to 6,573 points, on December 29. On the flagship index of the Parisian market, all values also end in green.
While the announcement of the almost complete lifting of restrictions linked to Covid-19 in China was initially welcomed by operators, who finally hoped for a return to normal for the second world economy, health fears resumed the top with the surge of contamination. Several countries, including Italy and the United States, now require airline passengers from China to present a negative Covid-19 test before entering their territory.
Europe intends to reflect on a concerted solution. For France, President Emmanuel Macron asked the government for “appropriate measures” to protect the French and also to look at “actions at both national and European level”.
The American markets are currently well oriented with the rebound in You’re here (+7.9%)… At 5:45 p.m., the S&P 500 jumped 1.61%, returning to 3,844 points. The Dow Jones is also firm, with an advance of +1% to 33,203 points. The Nasdaq Composite is euphoric with a jump of 2.46% to 10,464 points.
Across the Atlantic, weekly jobless claims increased slightly last week. The US Department of Labor announced for the week ended December 24 that they reached 225,000, up 9,000 from the previous week. This development is in line with market expectations.
The barrel of oil is still under pressure. The WTI gives back -0.9%, returning to $78.11. The barrel of Brent from the North Sea is down another -1.09%, trading at $82.20.
The euro rallied 0.51% to $1.0669. The ounce of gold is stable at $1,814.
Bitcoin recovered 0.75% to $16,635.
Rising values
* Adocia (+16.08% to 3.645 euros). The stock soared, boosted by the announcement of new positive results for insulin BioChaperone Lispro (called THDB0206 in China) with its partner Tonghua Dongbao. BioChaperone Lispro was compared to Humalog (insulin lispro) and the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of BioChaperone Lispro were significantly faster. Furthermore, BioChaperone Lispro has confirmed its good tolerance and safety profile.
* Aegis (+8.7% to 0.5 euros). Egide and the American bank Amerisource Business Capital have announced the signing of a financing agreement for an amount of $3 million. This financing on assets (ABL loans) finances the subsidiaries Egide USA and Santier, up to $1.5 million each, on the basis of customer accounts and inventories of each entity. Amerisource Business Capital used this new $3M financing to repay the remaining lines of credit and long-term loans to Bank of California for a total amount of $2.66M. Combined with the $6 million Sales/Lease Back operation for the Cambridge building (MS, USA), Egide now states that it has a sound financial position that allows it to focus on pursuing its growth strategy on its existing and future markets.
* STEF (+1.92% to 90.3 euros). The carrier announced the acquisition by its subsidiary in Italy, STEF Frozen Italia, of the balance of the capital of the Italian company Intermedia, which controls the SVAT group. The latter is a benchmark operator on the frozen food market in Italy and operates a network of 4 temperature-controlled sites. The company’s headquarters are located in Nogarole Rocca, near Verona, in a rapidly developing industrial and logistics area where the company owns and operates a cold store. SVAT employs approximately 240 people and achieved a turnover of 69 ME in 2021. The operation enables STEF to strengthen its leadership in frozen foods in Italy, particularly in transport. The French food transport and logistics group had held a minority stake in Intermedia since the end of 2021.
* ITLink (+0.84% to 24 euros). IT Link acquires RADèS, an expert in supervision and operational excellence in Banking-Finance-Insurance. For IT Link, this acquisition is part of the strategy of the Connext’25 plan. It allows it to strengthen its presence in Ile de France with 40 new consultants, while doubling its activities in the areas of Banking-Finance-Insurance. Given the historical level of profitability of RADèS and the complementarities with the other entities of the Group, the operation should have a positive effect on the margin from the 2023 financial year.
* ArcelorMittal (+0.73% to 24.96 euros). The steelmaker has just announced an agreement to acquire the Polish scrap metal recycling company, Zaklad Przerobu Zlomu (Zlomex). The Pole has been a long-time supplier to ArcelorMittal steelworks in Dabrowa Górnicza and Warsaw. Zlomex focuses on ferrous scrap, and expanded its operations in Krakow in 2022 with the installation of a new crusher and new equipment. ArcelorMittal is committed to supporting the growth strategy of Zlomex, which has invested in expanding its Warsaw yard. Zlomex processed and shipped nearly 400,000 tons of scrap metal last year. The ‘closing’ of the operation remains subject to the usual regulatory approvals. It is expected in the first half of 2023.
* Neoen (+0.53% to 38 euros). This renewable energy specialist is launching the construction of Western Downs Battery in Australia. Neoen instructed the Tesla and UGL teams, in charge of building the auxiliary electrical and mechanical equipment (Balance of Plant), to start building this battery. With a capacity of 200 MW / 400 MWh, it is located in South West Queensland. In accordance with its develop-to-own model, Neoen will own and operate it for the long term. Western Downs Battery is Neoen’s fourth large capacity battery in Australia.
Falling values
* Altheora (-3.18% to 1.065 euros). The company has finalized a convertible bond issue contract for a total amount of 3.6 ME with two investors: Nextstage AM and Vatel Capital. The operation is part of the global financing intended to support Altheora’s strategic plan, “Inspire and lead the industrial reconquest” covering the period 2021-2026. The group, European leader in the design and manufacture of parts in composite materials and polymers, aims to become the 1st efficient and responsible ETI, capable of generating sustainable growth and contributing to the reindustrialisation of its territory, with the ambition to reach 100 ME in turnover by 2026.
* 2CRSi (-1.63% to 3.02 euros). The company raised funds in bond form on December 28. On the one hand, it is a financing by issuing convertible bonds for an amount of 2.4 ME. These were subscribed by a group of European investors. On the other hand, 2CRSi launched an issue of simple bonds for an amount of 2.6 ME.