April 18 (Reuters) – The main European stock markets rose at the start of the session after a series of solid company results. In Paris, the CAC 40 gained 0.47% to 8,019.13 points around 07:48 GMT. In London, the FTSE 100 gained 0.55% and in Frankfurt, the Dax advanced 0.2%. The EuroStoxx 50 index is up 0.41%, the FTSEurofirst 300 by 0.25% and the Stoxx 600 by 0.26%. European companies are at the center of attention with a deluge of rather well-received results on the stock market, while doubts remain about the plans of central bankers in terms of interest rates, particularly in the United States. The remarks of several European and American decision-makers are again on the agenda for the day, starting with those of the vice-president of the European Central Bank (ECB), Luis de Guindos, who is due to present the institution’s annual report for 2023 before the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee of the European Parliament. The central banker estimated on Wednesday that inflation in the euro zone should continue to slow and that ECB could reduce its interest rates if the conditions for price growth are met, confirming the guideline given by the central bank . In terms of values, the automotive supplier Forvia increased by 4.4% after reporting robust order intake and stronger than expected growth in its turnover in the first quarter. The restaurant voucher provider Edenred, whose operational turnover was better than expected in the first quarter, is up 4.6%. The Franco-German manufacturer of laboratory supplies Sartorius lost 9% in Frankfurt and its French subsidiary Sartorius Stedim Biotech 15.4% in Paris after a first quarter which missed analysts’ expectations regarding orders and turnover. Danone, which confirmed its financial objectives for 2024 after a 4.1% increase in its turnover in the first quarter, increased by 1.4%. Elsewhere in Europe, the British airline easyJet rose 4.5% after its optimistic forecasts for the summer season. (Written by Diana Mandiá, edited by Blandine Hénault)
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