The CAC 40 Index Closes 0.33% Higher

The CAC 40 edged up 0.2% to close at a record 8,715 on Friday, supported by better-than-expected trade data and gains in US technology stocks. France's trade deficit narrowed more than expected to €5.8 billion in June from €7.9 billion in May, as exports rose 2.6% month-on-month to €54.5 billion. Industrial stocks advanced, with Airbus up 0.5%, Safran adding 0.6%, and Sanofi gaining 1.3%. Technology shares also moved higher, with STMicroelectronics rising 3.2% and Schneider Electric advancing 1% amid sector gains on Wall Street. In contrast, luxury stocks mostly declined, with LVMH down 0.3% and Kering and L'Oréal both falling 1.1% as Middle East tensions weighed on risk appetite. TotalEnergies also slipped 0.6% amid volatile oil prices. Broader sectors were mixed as France's unemployment rate rose to 8.3% in Q2 2026 from 8.1% in the previous quarter, reaching its highest level since Q3 2020.

The CAC 40 Index rose 29 points or 0.33 percent on Friday to close at 8728 points. Leading the gains are STMicroelectronics (2.92%), Dassault Systemes (2.39%) and Pernod Ricard (1.91%). Top losers were ArcelorMittal (-1.35%), Bouygues (-1.12%) and Vinci (-0.99%).

The CAC 40 rose 0.3% to 8,722 on Friday, hitting a fresh record high as investors assessed key European economic data and monitored developments in the Middle East. In France, the unemployment rate edged up to 8.3% in Q2 2026 from 8.1% in the previous quarter, its highest level since Q3 2020. Meanwhile, the trade deficit narrowed more than expected to €5.8 billion in June from €7.9 billion in May, as exports increased 2.6% month-on-month to €54.5 billion while imports fell 0.9% to €60.4 billion. Geopolitical risks remained in focus after Iranian state media reported a naval operation against "hostile targets" near the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran is also reportedly seeking to restrict access to the waterway for US and Israeli vessels and require compensation from hostile nations before granting transit. Schneider Electric (0.3%), Airbus (0.9%), and Safran (0.7%) were among the top performers. For the week, the benchmark index was on track to post a third consecutive weekly gain.