Investors left behind the previous day's profit-taking and allowed European stock markets to close in positive territory on Friday. Thus, the CAC 40 rose by 0.39% to 5,495.39 points and the EuroStoxx 50 gained 0.45% to 3,467.63 points. Over the past week, the gains are more marked, thanks to the multiple favorable announcements concerning vaccines against Covid-19. As a result, the CAC recorded a weekly increase of 2.15% and the EuroStoxx 50 of 1.02%.

At the end of the afternoon, Friday, Wall Street is trading on an indecisive note: if the Dow Jones gives up 0.46%, the Nasdaq Composite grabs 0.07%.

After a brief moment of floating at the very beginning of the session, the European stock markets have come to their senses and found the path of the rise. A modest increase, however, given the progression of the Coronavirus pandemic, particularly in the United States. Indeed, 200,000 cases were detected in 24 hours. Figures that lead more and more American states to take new restrictive measures.

At the same time, the lack of concrete progress on the new US stimulus package is still a concern for investors. Especially since Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury Secretary, has refused to extend several of the Fed's emergency loan programs, which will expire at the end of the year.

On the indicator front, the day was very calm. The most significant statistic was consumer confidence in the euro area, which fell slightly less than expected in November (to -17.6 from -17.7 expected), according to a preliminary estimate.

In terms of values, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield recorded significant weekly gains (+12.6%), thanks to good news on vaccines and significant changes underway in its management; Renault (+12.4%), still driven by Nissan's less deteriorating than expected outlook and sector rotation; and Alstom (+9.3%), which is making great strides in the acquisition of Bombardier Transportation.

On the downside were Danone (-3.10%), Carrefour (-3%) and Pernod Ricard (-2.3%).