Technical Analysis FR40 : 2016-07-29

 | Jul 29, 2016 10:07AM ET

French stocks recover after Brexit
FTSE 100 stock market index recovered most of the sharp loss following the UK referendum decision to leave the European Union. The consumer confidence declined in June, while Services PMI for July indicated expansion in services sector. And Manufacturing PMI indicated contraction in manufacturing in July. Will the CAC 40 index continue rebounding?
France’s CAC 40 has gained more than 8% since June 24 recovering most of the sharp loss after Britain voted to leave the European Union. The consumer confidence indicator in June edged down in line with market expectations to 97 points from 98 points in May, an over-nine-year high. The consumer confidence index reflected more pessimism about employment prospects. Industrial production in May declined 0.5% over the previous month after a 1.2% expansion in April. The contraction in industrial production resulted from a fall in construction while manufacturing posted no growth as oil refineries were kept idle during labor union strikes against unpopular labor reforms. The government passed the labor reform law which makes it easier to lengthen working hours, reduce worker severance pay and weaken the unions’ power. The reform is expected to contribute to growth in medium term, boosting economic activity in the aftermath of the Brexit vote. Consumer prices in June edged up 0.1% on month with inflation rising 0.2% on year, the highest rate since January. And the Business Climate Indicator, which measures the business confidence, rose to 103 in July from 102 in June instead of an expected 1 point decline. Nevertheless, the economic growth in 2016 is expected to be impacted negatively by the increased uncertainty after UK’s decision to leave the EU as exports and investments decline as a result. On July 22 preliminary Manufacturing and Serves PMIs for July were released, with showed contraction in manufacturing sector while service expanded. On August 3 June retail sales will be published, which is expected to rise on month and compared with the same period a year ago. On August 10 Industrial Production for June will be released, a growth is expected after a decline in May. And on August 12 July preliminary second quarter nonfarm payrolls will come out, an 0.2% growth in expected after 0.3% rise in previous month.