The CAC 40 Index Closes 0.69% Lower

The CAC 40 Index fell 58 points or 0.69 percent on Friday to close at 8373 points. Leading the losses are ArcelorMittal (-3.24%), STMicroelectronics (-3.23%) and Safran (-2.85%). Top gainers were Danone (3.06%), Edenred (1.99%) and Dassault Systemes (1.93%).

The CAC 40 fell 0.5% to close at 8,385 on Friday, as renewed selling pressure in technology stocks weighed on risk appetite amid persistent concerns over elevated AI-driven valuations. While Micron earnings offered some reassurance on underlying AI demand, reports that OpenAI may delay its IPO until 2027, along with indications that Apple and Microsoft are considering price increases for some products, added to uncertainty around the sector. STMicroelectronics fell 3.8%. TotalEnergies lost 1.3% as oil prices declined on easing supply concerns, with more tankers leaving the Strait of Hormuz. This came despite Iran reaffirming its control over shipping in the Strait and warning Gulf states against siding with the US, a day after an attack on a vessel near Oman. Industrial stocks also traded lower, with Airbus down 1.6% and Safran shedding 3.2%, as investors also assessed reports that the company is evaluating a potential acquisition of Exail Technologies.

The CAC 40 eased 0.2% to 8,419 on Friday, ending a two-day advance as renewed selling pressure in technology stocks due to persistent concerns over elevated AI-driven valuations weighed on risk appetite. While Micron's earnings provided some reassurance about underlying AI demand, reports that OpenAI may delay its IPO until 2027, alongside indications that Apple and Microsoft are considering price increases for certain products, added to uncertainty surrounding the sector. Reflecting the broader weakness in the technology sector, STMicroelectronics lost 2.1%. Other notable decliners included Schneider Electric (-1.3%), Safran (-1.3%), and BNP Paribas (-1.0%). Meanwhile, gains in luxury stocks helped limit the losses, with LVMH rising 0.6%, Hermes advancing 1.0%, and Kering adding 0.8%. For the week, the CAC 40 was on track for its first weekly decline after five consecutive weeks of gains.