CAC 40 Falls on Chip Selloff and US-Iran Tensions

2026-07-17 15:53 By Isabela Couto 1 min. read

The CAC 40 fell 0.5% to close at 8,339 on Friday as a broad-based semiconductor selloff swept across global markets and weighed heavily on technology stocks.

Concerns over the sector resurfaced amid elevated AI spending and stretched valuations.

STMicroelectronics shed 3.9%.

Meanwhile, investors continued to monitor developments in the escalating US-Iran conflict, which pushed oil prices higher and renewed concerns over inflation and the interest rate outlook.

Markets largely expect the ECB to keep borrowing costs unchanged next week before potentially delivering a final rate cut in September, when the central bank will release updated quarterly projections.

Financials posted losses, with BNP Paribas down 1.0%, Crédit Agricole down 0.7%, and Société Générale losing 1.5%.

Luxury stocks also traded lower amid higher risk aversion, with LVMH down 1.6%, Hermès losing 1.5%, and Kering shedding 1.2%.

In contrast, TotalEnergies gained 1.3% on higher oil prices.



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The CAC 40 Index Closes 0.47% Lower
The CAC 40 Index fell 39 points or 0.47 percent on Friday to close at 8339 points. Leading the losses are STMicroelectronics (-4.63%), Publicis (-4.20%) and Renault (-2.86%). Top gainers were Orange (2.75%), Thales (1.82%) and TP (1.69%).
2026-07-17
CAC 40 Falls on Chip Selloff and US-Iran Tensions
The CAC 40 fell 0.5% to close at 8,339 on Friday as a broad-based semiconductor selloff swept across global markets and weighed heavily on technology stocks. Concerns over the sector resurfaced amid elevated AI spending and stretched valuations. STMicroelectronics shed 3.9%. Meanwhile, investors continued to monitor developments in the escalating US-Iran conflict, which pushed oil prices higher and renewed concerns over inflation and the interest rate outlook. Markets largely expect the ECB to keep borrowing costs unchanged next week before potentially delivering a final rate cut in September, when the central bank will release updated quarterly projections. Financials posted losses, with BNP Paribas down 1.0%, Crédit Agricole down 0.7%, and Société Générale losing 1.5%. Luxury stocks also traded lower amid higher risk aversion, with LVMH down 1.6%, Hermès losing 1.5%, and Kering shedding 1.2%. In contrast, TotalEnergies gained 1.3% on higher oil prices.
2026-07-17
French Stocks Extend Losses
The CAC 40 fell 0.4% to 8,341 on Friday, extending losses from the previous session as a broad-based semiconductor selloff swept across global markets and weighed heavily on technology stocks. Concerns over the sector resurfaced amid elevated AI spending and stretched valuations. Meanwhile, investors continued to monitor developments in the escalating US-Iran conflict, which pushed oil prices higher and renewed worries over inflation and interest rate outlook. Markets largely expect the European Central Bank to keep borrowing costs unchanged next week before potentially delivering a final rate cut in September, when the ECB will release updated quarterly projections. STMicroelectronics (-5.8%), Airbus (-1%), Schneider Electric (-2.3%), and Safran (-1.4%) were among the notable decliners. Luxury names such as LVMH (-0.7%), Hermès (-0.6%), and Kering (-1%) also fell after Burberry underwhelmed investors with its results. For the week, the CAC 40 is on track to finish broadly steady.
2026-07-17