First-round victory by ex-banker Emmanuel Macron powers French index to nine-year tall as global markets gainStock markets surged and the euro jumped sharply after centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron won the first round of the weekend’s French presidential election,easing fears of a victory by the far-proper Front National.
France’s Cac index climbed more than 4% to a nine-year tall, its best daily performance since August 2015, and as investors bet that Macron would defeat the other runoff candidate,the FN’s Marine Le Pen on 7 May. The first vote put Macron on 23.75% with Le Pen on 21.53%. The result was seen as the most market-friendly outcome, putting the independent former investment banker in pole position to fend off the anti-EU Le Pen. Related: France's stock market hits nine-year tall as election cheers investors - business live Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com