The Paris Bourse is catching its breath at the start of the session, with the CAC40 down 0.4%, after a week which saw the index gain 1.3% to 8,028 points, posting cumulative gains of 6.5% since the start of the year.

'It's a common saying in the stock market that trees don't grow on trees. But recent years and weeks have shown that this is sometimes the case", says Christopher Dembik of Pictet Asset Management.

Solid corporate earnings, share buybacks and the resilience of the US economy are three of the main factors behind the bullish underlying trend in the stock market", continues the market professional.

"Even if a correction is inevitable this year, the underlying trend remains bullish for the stock market", he judges, pointing to the prospect of future rate cuts by central banks, probably next June, as another element of support.

No European data is scheduled for Monday, but the following days will see the release of the latest inflation figures in Germany and France for February, as well as industrial production in the eurozone and the UK for January.

However, the week promises to be a busy one in the US in terms of statistics, with in particular the various inflation figures, as well as retail sales and industrial production for last month.

In stock news, Sanofi reports further positive Phase II results for amlitelimab, confirming its potential as a best-in-class drug in terms of maintaining response in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Spie announces the signing of an agreement to acquire around 92% of ICG Group, a leading German provider of turnkey services in telecoms infrastructure (for the fiber network and 5G mobile telecommunications).

Thales announces an order from France's Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA), via the Organisation Conjoint de Coopération en matière d'Armement (OCCAr), for a light operations center (e-POC) for the French Navy's drone-based mine countermeasures system.

According to the Financial Times, Kering has begun talks with PAI Partners' eyewear manufacturer Marcolin. According to the FT, other groups in discussion for this acquisition include EssilorLuxottica, Safilo and the Marchon group.

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