The Paris stock market is currently gaining nearly 0.9%, around 7,600 points. At the opening, the CAC 40 had even briefly reached 7654 points, setting a new all-time record.

The index was buoyed by the strong rise in URW (+5.4%), ahead of Renault (+4.9%) and Eurofins Scientific (+4.5%).

As widely anticipated by the markets, the US Federal Reserve decided last night to keep rates unchanged, while opening the door to a "pivot" towards monetary easing as early as next year.

Its rate forecasts, nicknamed "dot plots", have been modified to show the possibility of three rate cuts in 2024.

"We see this as a strong signal that the Fed is starting to prepare the markets for rate cuts, depending on the economic data received", commented Danske Bank analysts.

This prospect is particularly evident from the CME's FedWatch barometer: investors now estimate the probability of a 25 basis point rate cut in March at over 73%, compared with less than 40% yesterday.

'The question is no longer (...) no longer whether monetary policy will be eased, but when and how quickly", say the teams at Oddo BHF.

By favoring the scenario of a "soft landing" for the US economy, Jerome Powell - the chairman of the central bank - has precipitated a run on the stock markets, which were already trading at record levels.

Speculation will now begin to focus on the possibility that the Fed will accelerate its rate cuts next year, which should provide the equity markets with additional fuel.

Jerome Powell's "dove-like" comments are causing a spectacular reaction in the bond markets, with the yield on 10-year Treasuries plunging towards 4%, a level not seen since July.

The ECB is also expected to opt for a "status quo" on rates at the end of its Governing Council meeting, scheduled for this morning.

Here again, investors will be looking for clues as to the policy the Frankfurt-based institute intends to adopt next year, given that markets are currently counting on six rate cuts in 2024.

It's still too early to talk about rate cuts, and the ECB will want to be cautious in its rhetoric so as not to raise investors' expectations too much", warns Emmanuel Auboyneau, Associate Manager at Amplegest.

"Inflation is not yet vanquished and still requires vigilance", adds the professional. Christine Lagarde will have no choice but to remain very measured in her speech", he concludes.

Following the Fed's conciliatory announcements, and in anticipation of a more neutral tone from the ECB, the euro is rallying against the dollar to trade back in the $1.09/euro zone.

The day will also be marked by the monetary policy decisions of the Bank of England, which has less latitude than its counterparts in view of the country's still very high inflation rate.

As for US indicators, investors will be paying close attention to the publication of import prices, jobless claims and, above all, the latest retail sales figures.

In French company news, Atos reports that Onepoint, its reference shareholder since November 1, has increased its stake to 11.4%, and that it intends to pursue a constructive dialogue with it, as with all its shareholders.

Air France-KLM confirms its outlook for 2024-26 and sets targets for 2026-28, including a further increase in profitability with an operating margin in excess of 8%.

Bayer announced on Thursday the signing of a partnership with French start-up Iktos for the use of AI in the discovery and development of new crop protection products.

Finally, Dassault Systèmes and Dassault Aviation announced on Thursday that they would be deepening their collaboration, now set to encompass fighter aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities.

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