French Stocks Extend Gains to 2-Week High

2026-04-01 07:40 By Czyrill Jean Coloma 1 min. read

The CAC 40 climbed 2.2% to 7,989 on Wednesday, extending its winning streak to a third consecutive session and reaching its highest level in two weeks, as market sentiment was lifted by growing optimism that the month-long Middle East conflict could de-escalate.

US President Donald Trump indicated that American military operations in Iran may conclude within two to three weeks, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran has the “necessary will” to end the war, contingent on guarantees against renewed escalation.

European shares have been under pressure since the start of the Middle East conflict, particularly due to concerns over energy supply disruptions amid constraints on flows through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Luxury stocks led the advance, with LVMH rising 2.6%, Hermès gaining 2.9%, and Kering climbing 3.6%.

Financials also posted strong gains, as BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, and Société Générale advanced between 3.6% and 5.5%.



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French Stocks Extend Gains to 2-Week High
The CAC 40 climbed 2.2% to 7,989 on Wednesday, extending its winning streak to a third consecutive session and reaching its highest level in two weeks, as market sentiment was lifted by growing optimism that the month-long Middle East conflict could de-escalate. US President Donald Trump indicated that American military operations in Iran may conclude within two to three weeks, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran has the “necessary will” to end the war, contingent on guarantees against renewed escalation. European shares have been under pressure since the start of the Middle East conflict, particularly due to concerns over energy supply disruptions amid constraints on flows through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Luxury stocks led the advance, with LVMH rising 2.6%, Hermès gaining 2.9%, and Kering climbing 3.6%. Financials also posted strong gains, as BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, and Société Générale advanced between 3.6% and 5.5%.
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The CAC 40 rose 0.6% to close at 7,817 on Tuesday as the final session of March provided relief following reports that US President Trump is considering a diplomatic exit from the Middle East conflict. While regional volatility persisted after an Iranian strike on a Kuwaiti tanker near Dubai the potential for a cessation of military hostilities sparked a recovery across major European benchmarks. Domestically, preliminary estimates confirmed that French inflation hit an over one year high of 1.7% as energy shocks from the five week war trickled into the broader economy prompting ECB President Lagarde to maintain a hawkish policy outlook. Notable gains were seen in Edenred which surged 5.2% and defense giant Thales which climbed 2.4% while luxury leaders like LVMH and Hermes dropped roughly 0.8% amid shifting global sentiment. The CAC 40 concluded a volatile month with a decline of 8.9% as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to weigh on long term stability.
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