The final results indicate that the selective Dow Jones Industrial Average ended up, with a new record, by closing above the symbolic threshold of 40,000 points (40,003) for the first time in its history.

On Thursday, it had exceeded this mark, before contracting.

Of the other indices, the technological Nasdaq fell 0.07%, while the broad S&P500 advanced 0.12%.

This week "new records were set and [but] the enthusiasm was interrupted", commented Karl Haeling, from LBBW.

On Wednesday, these three stock indices had closed at unprecedented levels.

Afterwards, only the Dow managed to resist and even improve.

"Investors chose to consolidate, which is healthy, because it was going at full speed and falling into exuberance", in Karl Haeling's opinion.

Clearly behind the Nasdaq in terms of appreciation in 2023 [55% versus 14%], the Dow Jones, on the other hand, is in good shape this year, supported by its diversification beyond technological values.

Today, for example, its aggregate performance was based on Caterpillar (+1.58%) and JPMorgan Chase (+1.15%), which even closed at a record level.

On the day's agenda, in terms of indicators, the only news was related to the Conference Board's leading economic indicator, which showed a decrease of -0.6%, double what economists expected.

The indicators of the last few weeks almost all show a cooling of the US economy, but they are well received by investors, as this points to a decrease in the Federal Reserve's (Fed) reference interest rate.

"It will take more" to worry investors with a worsening of the economic situation, pointed out Karl Haeling, who recalled that the real-time estimate of US economic growth for 2024, made by the Fed bank in Atlanta, is still 3.6%.

For this analyst, "stocks will continue to rise", after a period of consolidation.

"At the moment, there is an appetite for risk", summarises Haeling, who also points to the high prices of copper and gold, in addition to stocks.

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