European stock exchanges are expected to open in scattered order on Wednesday, under a burst of new results and as China announces a cut in rates to stimulate its economy.

The community services group Veolia confirmed its forecasts for 2025 on Wednesday, after seeing its profitability increase in the first quarter despite a turnover weighed down in particular by the rise in energy prices in Europe excluding France.

The reinsurer Scor published results for the first quarter of 2025 on Wednesday marked by the continued recovery of its life and health (L&H) reinsurance business and an increase in its solvency ratio.

The electrical infrastructure specialist Legrand confirmed its objectives for 2025 on Wednesday, after registering an increase in its results in the first quarter and signalling its intention to continue its acquisition policy.

Arkema adjusted its gross operating surplus (Ebitda) target for the current fiscal year on Wednesday, as the chemist faces an overall weak demand environment and an uncertain geopolitical context.

On Tuesday evening, Axa and JCDecaux also revealed their latest quarterly results.

France is due to issue several similar Treasury bonds (OATs) this Wednesday.

Vaccine manufacturer Valneva reported first-quarter 2025 results on Wednesday that exceeded analysts' expectations and confirmed its goals for the current fiscal year.

At around 7:50am, the CAC 40 futures contract is stable, according to data from broker IG.

As of Wednesday morning, equity futures were little changed. Futures on American equities and Asian markets rose. Investors welcome the news that American and Chinese officials are due to meet this weekend, potentially paving the way for broader trade negotiations. According to data from broker IG, the DAX 40 futures contract in Frankfurt gained 0.2%, around 7:50am. FTSE 100 futures were down 0.1% on the London Stock Exchange.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that He Lifeng, Chinese Vice Prime Minister and a trusted man for President Xi Jinping's economy, will travel to Switzerland from 9 to 12 May and that, during this period, he will meet with American officials. Markets are also waiting for the conclusion of the Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting tonight.
Wednesday's comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell will be examined under a magnifying glass for clues about how regulators view the risks of inflationary pressure from tariffs or shortages, compared to the possibility of an economic downturn, when the central bank is expected to keep rates unchanged

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1% to 40,829 points, and the S&P 500 fell 0.8% to 5,606.91 points. The Nasdaq Composite, rich in technology stocks, ended up down 0.9% to 17,689.66 points. The New York Stock Exchange closed a second session in a row on Tuesday in the red, with caution winning out on the eve of the Federal Reserve's (Fed) monetary policy decision

China announced on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday that it would lower the mandatory reserve rate for banks as well as the seven-day reverse repo rate that applies to banks. Real estate loan rates for first-time buyers have also been reduced. Beijing wants to boost its economy, which is facing a sharp downturn with American tariffs.
On Wednesday, the Nikkei on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was stable at the end of trading. The Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.5% at the end of the session, while the Hang Seng of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange gained

The 10-year Treasury bill rate advances by 1 basis point (0.01 percentage point), to 4.33%, at around 7:50am. That of the 2-year bond takes 3 basis points, at 3.82%

The greenback was up 0.4% against the Japanese currency, at 143.02 yen. Around 7:50am, the euro was almost stable, at 1.1366 dollars.

The June contract for soft light crude (WTI) listed on Nymex rose 59 cents, or 1%, to 59.68 dollars per barrel. Around 7:50am on Friday, the July contract for North Sea Brent traded in London gained 52 cents, or 0.8%, to 62.67