The CAC 40 Index Opens 0.54% Higher

The CAC 40 rose 0.4% to 8,395 on Wednesday, extending gains from the previous session as investors tracked global developments and a fresh round of corporate earnings. Geopolitical tensions eased after the US and Iran reached an understanding on “guiding principles” for their nuclear dispute, while Ukraine and Russia concluded the first round of US-mediated peace talks. In Europe, the Financial Times reported that Christine Lagarde could step down as ECB president before France’s 2027 presidential election. Domestically, final estimates showed the annual inflation rate slowed to 0.3% in January 2026 from 0.8% in December, its lowest since December 2020. Defense stocks outperformed, supported by an agreement between India and France to strengthen defense and aerospace ties, as well as BAE Systems’ stronger-than-expected FY operating profit. Airbus, Safran, and Thales jumped 1.4%, 1.9%, and 4.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, Carrefour fell 4.2% after reporting a decline in operating profit.

The CAC 40 Index is gaining 45 points or 0.54 percent on Tuesday. Leading the gains are Thales (3.66%), Schneider Electric (1.87%) and Safran (1.29%). Top losers are Carrefour (-4.19%), Essilor (-2.71%) and Pernod Ricard (-1.59%).

The CAC 40 Index gained 49 points or 0.58 percent on Tuesday to close at 8365 points. Gains were led by Dassault Systemes (3.98%), Unibail Rodamco (2.98%) and AXA (2.73%). Biggest losers were Carrefour (-1.03%), Thales (-0.99%) and Stellantis NV (-0.92%).