CAC 40 Falls as Middle East Tensions Weigh

The CAC 40 rose 1.1% to close at 8,062 on Tuesday, as investors focused on corporate earnings. Axa gained 0.5% after reporting a strong start to 2026, with gross written premiums and other revenue up 6% year-on-year to €38.0 billion in Q1. Vicat rose 2% after posting higher sales and reaffirming its 2026 outlook, while Saint-Gobain added 1.1% on plans to sell part of its distribution business. Other gains included LVMH (+1.3%), Schneider Electric (+4.8%), and Orange (+1.3%). On the downside, Sanofi dropped 4.7% after announcing a $294 million AI investment. Beneteau fell 2.4% despite Q1 revenue growth, as weaker order intake tied to Middle East uncertainty weighed on its outlook.

The CAC 40 Index gained 86 points or 1.08 percent on Tuesday to close at 8062 points. Gains were led by Schneider Electric (4.72%), TP (4.24%) and STMicroelectronics (3.38%).

The CAC 40 rose 0.8% to 8,034 on Tuesday, rebounding from the previous session as investors largely focused on corporate earnings. Vicat gained 2.9% after reporting Q1 sales growth and reaffirming its 2026 outlook. In addition, Saint-Gobain rose 0.3% on plans to sell part of its distribution business. Other gains included LVMH (0.7%), Schneider Electric (1.3%), Orange (2.6%), and Capgemini (1%). In contrast, Sanofi dropped 4% to its lowest level since March 2020 after announcing a $294 million AI expansion investment. Beneteau also fell 2.4% despite Q1 revenue growth, as a slowdown in order intake linked to Middle East uncertainty tempered outlook. Nevertheless, investors remained on edge after US forces reportedly repelled Iranian attacks while escorting two US-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, and reports indicated a drone strike on the UAE’s Fujairah port. The renewed tensions threatened to unravel the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran.