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Paris bourse

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PARIS: French shares ended higher after a mixed response to US unemployment data for July which failed to give a clear steer on US economic growth, traders said.

But the market was supported by a rise in bonds and expectations of a German rate cut.

CAC-40 index closed up 6.25, or 0.32 percent, at 1,957.08, for a total rise of 1.26 percent from last week.

CAC-40 Aug futures 1,966 vs 1,960 at Thursday's close.

Of CAC-40 stocks, 23 higher, 13 lower, four unchanged.

Broader SBF 120 index closed up 4.16 at 1,332.99.

Volume was a thin 2.88 billion francs.

LVMH (-11/862) and group company Dior (-1.10/420.90) both hurt by growing row between Pacific countries and France over nuclear testing, and moves to cap yen rise by Japan.

Clarins (+6.10/438.10) and L'Oreal (+8/1,292), previously hit by anti-French boycott fears helped by strengthening dollar.

Buoygues (12/617) firm in active trade, but operators unsure why.

Promodes (+37/1,162) bought, seen cheap relative to Carrefour (+5/2,790). Carrefour posted H1 sales up 10 percent at 67.5 billion francs.-Reuter