Thomas Barnet

Real estate: Americans are now borrowing at 6.85% for 30 years

The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the benchmark in the US, has climbed to 6.85%. This is its highest level since June 2025, further complicating access to homeownership.

September 09, 2026 at 10:11 pm

Oil hits $100 a barrel again

Brent oil regained the symbolic $100-a-barrel mark on Wednesday morning, briefly rising to $100.13. The continuing military escalation in the Middle East is reshaping the global supply risk map.

September 09, 2026 at 05:11 pm

France analyst views: opinions diverge on LVMH

Analysts are broadly constructive on French stocks this morning, with several price targets raised on Air Liquide, Bic, Societe Generale, Veolia and Rubis. Luxury is the exception: HSBC sharply cuts its targets on Hermes and Kering, but Santander turns more positive on LVMH.

September 09, 2026 at 02:38 pm

The yen flexes its muscle, lifted by the BOJ and short covering

The yen is dominating FX headlines at the start of the week, having hit a 7-month high against the dollar, in a market otherwise waiting for the week's key events.

September 08, 2026 at 03:14 pm

Oil regains altitude, European gas follows

The week has begun under the weight of a fresh escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, reviving fears of a prolonged disruption to Middle East oil flows. Precious metals and copper stayed on the sidelines, lacking a clear directional catalyst.

September 07, 2026 at 05:15 pm

China: Beijing injects EUR46bn into its financial sector

China will recapitalize several large state-owned banks and insurance companies to the tune of CNY 360bn, i.e. about EUR46bn.

September 07, 2026 at 03:31 pm

France analysts' views: Rothschild Redburn turns bearish on Kering

A bit of a tag-team this morning, with Rothschild on luxury and Goldman Sachs on real estate. Add a dash of JP Morgan and Jefferies.

September 07, 2026 at 02:39 pm

Weekly earnings calendar: Oracle vs Adobe, a battle of old hands

Welcome to this week's calendar of listed company releases for September 7 to 11, 2026. Key announcements this week include Rubis, Inditex, Oracle Corporation, Adobe Inc., Standard Life plc, Kroger Co., Savencia, Associated British Foods plc, and Vetoquinol SA. Track these headline results to better understand market trends.

September 04, 2026 at 10:50 pm

Volkswagen on a strict diet, 50,000 jobs in the crosshairs

The group's supervisory board unanimously approved a sweeping turnaround plan, including 50,000 job cuts and a slimmer model lineup. Volkswagen wants to restore competitiveness without closing plants, while preparing a deep overhaul of its European industrial footprint.

September 04, 2026 at 04:00 pm

France analyst calls: upbeat views on Accor and GTT

The latest weekly selection puts Accor and GTT in the spotlight. TotalEnergies is downgraded by Morgan Stanley.

September 04, 2026 at 02:34 pm

Why is the United States so focused on Japan's economy?

American financial media often seem to place an outsized weight on Japan's economic news. Japan is no longer the industrial specter that haunted Washington in the 1980s, but it is, at once, a creditor to America, a military ally, an industrial power, a laboratory for aging, a barometer for the dollar, and a central player in global liquidity.

September 03, 2026 at 09:25 pm

The yen rattles the stock market again

In barely two sessions, the yen has emerged as the market's most closely watched currency, propelled by a sudden reset of interest-rate expectations for the Bank of Japan. The rest of the FX market has been remarkably calm, leaving the spotlight centered on Japan's currency.

September 03, 2026 at 08:32 pm

Why Japan's Yield Comeback Is Threatening US Bonds

With Japanese yields at their highest level in 30 years, local investors are rediscovering their home market. This shift could gradually reduce their demand for US, European and Australian bonds, adding to markets' current headache. But there will be no tidal wave.

September 03, 2026 at 04:57 pm

Aluminum rides a deficit market

As commodities were jolted by the return of macroeconomic doubts tied to rising bond yields, aluminum stood out with notable resilience, underpinned by supply fundamentals that remain structurally tight.

September 03, 2026 at 04:26 pm

After Air Liquide, Elliott is also said to have taken a stake in Deutsche Telekom

Activist fund Elliott Investment Management has taken a stake in Deutsche Telekom, according to matching sources cited by Bloomberg, the Financial Times and Reuters. It reportedly wants the group to drop the idea of a merger with T-Mobile US and prioritize other value-creation levers.

September 03, 2026 at 02:57 pm

ETFs: how foreign investors dodge the 30% US tax on American dividends

Every three months, large foreign investors shift tens of billions of dollars between two nearly identical ETFs to avoid the 30% US tax on dividends. According to Bloomberg, the maneuver saved about $147m in taxes last year.

September 02, 2026 at 05:49 pm

French analyst views: BNP upgrades L'Oréal back to Buy

Morgan Stanley raises its targets on BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole, Citi does the same on STMicroelectronics. Goldman Sachs downgrades Société Générale, while BNP turns positive again on L'Oréal.

September 02, 2026 at 02:59 pm

Engie Set to Join the Euro Stoxx 50

It is a major milestone for the French energy group, whose market capitalization is closing in on €60bn. The company will join the continent's most selective index alongside Nokia, at the expense of Volkswagen and Wolters Kluwer. Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES, meanwhile, will leave the Stoxx Europe 600.

September 02, 2026 at 02:52 pm

Restless activist fund Elliott takes a stake in Air Liquide

Activist fund Elliott Management has taken a stake in Air Liquide and has begun talks with the group, according to the Financial Times. The market is asking what changes it may demand.

September 01, 2026 at 12:23 pm

OHB and Soitec ride supportive news flow, Advicenne tumbles

Good news from OHB and SWI is showing up in prices this morning. It is more complicated for Bakkafrost and Advicenne.

August 31, 2026 at 05:54 pm

Oil climbs: US-Iran escalation outweighs Venezuelan supply signals

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East overshadowed signs of additional supply from Venezuela and Iraqi Kurdistan. Brent crude moved back above the $90 mark.

August 31, 2026 at 05:39 pm