FX.co ★ CAC 40 Inches Higher In Cautious Trade

French stocks subtly increased in a hesitant trade on Thursday, in anticipation of the lengthy Easter holiday weekend. Key European markets will close for two days on Friday and Monday for the Easter celebrations.

The reference CAC 40 increased by 21 points or 0.3 percent, settling at 8,226 after a 0.3 percent increase the day before. The Euro's fall to dollar parity looms ahead of significant U.S. inflation data release and a speech by Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell on Friday.

Renault shares experienced an upward movement of approximately 1 percent. This follows a share repurchase program launched by fellow automaker, Nissan, on March 27. As a result, Renault Group sold 99.13 million shares back to Nissan, equivalent to roughly 2.5 percent of Nissan's capital, with a total value of 358 million euros.

Shares in Casino, the retail company, plunged by 63 percent as the retailer announced the effective completion of its financial restructuring.