French Stocks Hit Over 7-Month Low
2026-03-23 08:44
By
Czyrill Jean Coloma
1 min. read
The CAC 40 fell 1.6% to 7,544 on Monday, extending losses from the previous week and marking its lowest level since August 2025, as escalating tensions in the Middle East continued to roil global markets.
The conflict has now entered its fourth week, with US President Donald Trump warning of potential strikes on Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
In response, Iran threatened to shut the strategic waterway “completely” and target energy and water infrastructure in bordering countries, raising fears of broader regional disruption and energy supply shocks.
Most sectors traded lower, with luxury stocks LVMH (-0.5%) and Hermès (-1.6%) leading the declines.
Defense names also came under pressure, particularly Airbus (-1.6%), Safran (-2.9%), and Thales (-2.4%).
Elsewhere, Danone fell 1% after reports that it will acquire UK-based fortified drinks maker Huel, as part of its strategic push into the fast-growing functional nutrition segment.