The CAC 40 Index Closes 1.88% Lower

The CAC 40 Index dropped 158 points or 1.88 percent on Thursday to close at 8280 points. Losses were led by STMicroelectronics (-16.72%), Eurofins Scientific SE (-6.09%) and Kering (-4.96%).

The CAC 40 fell 1.6% to close at 8,299 on Thursday on escalating geopolitical tensions. Oil prices surged as renewed attacks heightened concerns over global energy supplies, reigniting inflation fears and reinforcing expectations that interest rates could remain higher for longer. Financials traded lower, with Société Générale down 2.9% and BNP Paribas shedding 2.8% despite upbeat Q2 results. Luxury stocks tumbled on increased risk aversion, with LVMH down 4.3%, L'Oréal shedding 3.1%, Hermès losing 3.4%, and Kering falling 4.8%. STMicroelectronics plunged 17.7% after issuing weaker-than-expected Q3 sales guidance. In contrast, Thales gained 5.1% after reporting a surge in first-half orders and beating EPS forecasts, while TotalEnergies rose 2.5% after posting a 68% jump in adjusted net income to $6.03 billion and revenue above estimates. The ECB left interest rates unchanged, saying its energy price outlook remains broadly in line with its June projections despite ongoing volatility.

The CAC 40 fell more than 1% to around 8,345 on Thursday, reversing the previous session’s gains as escalating geopolitical tensions dampened risk appetite amid a busy slate of corporate earnings and updates. President Trump warned that the US would strike Iranian infrastructure in response to attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran threatened retaliation against regional energy assets. Adding to concerns, Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi tankers. Among corporate movers, STMicroelectronics plunged 14.3% after issuing a Q3 sales forecast below market expectations, while BNP Paribas slipped 1.1% despite reporting upbeat Q2 results. In contrast, Thales added 1.8% after reporting a surge in first-half orders, and Dassault Aviation surged 7.5% after posting strong first-half earnings and reaffirming its 2026 sales outlook. Moreover, TotalEnergies climbed 2% after reporting a 68% jump in adjusted net income to $6.03 billion.