CAC 40 Lags Europe Despite 10% 2025 Gain

2025-12-31 14:53 By Dongting Liu 1 min. read

The CAC 40 closed 0.3% lower at 8,145 on the final trading day of 2025, ending the year with a roughly 10% gain.

Paris lagged other European markets, dragged down by political uncertainty, rising debt concerns, and surging bond yields.

The index’s latest intraday record was 8,258.9 on October 21.

By sector, banks led the rally, buoyed by earnings rebounds and large-scale share buybacks: Société Générale posted a 153% gain for the year, BNP Paribas rose 36%, and Crédit Agricole gained 31%.

Defense stocks also outperformed, with Thales jumping 65% amid heightened geopolitical tensions and increased government spending.

In contrast, consumer-facing names lagged.

Stellantis slumped 26% due to intensifying competition in China, management disruptions, and high U.S.

inventories.

Pernod Ricard fell 33%, the worst-performing consumer stock in the CAC 40, as sales softened in China and the US.

Other notable decliners included Edenred (-40%), Dassault Systèmes (-28%), and TP (-26%).



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