CAC 40 Slips as Middle East Tensions Persist

2026-08-14 15:51 By Isabela Couto 1 min. read

The CAC 40 shed 0.2% to close at 8,637 on Friday amid stalled negotiations to end the conflict in the Middle East.

Persistent geopolitical tensions continued to fuel concerns over supply disruptions and inflation risks, with US President Donald Trump renewing calls for tougher economic pressure on Iran, while Tehran reportedly adopted a more assertive military posture.

Annual inflation rose to 2.1% in July from 1.8% in June, confirming preliminary estimates and reinforcing expectations that price pressures remain elevated.

Bond yields moved higher on energy-driven inflation concerns as oil prices rose, pressuring credit-sensitive stocks.

Luxury shares posted losses amid higher risk aversion, with LVMH down 0.3%, L’Oréal shedding 0.9% and Kering losing 1%.

Financials closed mixed, with Société Générale down 0.5% and BNP Paribas edging lower, while AXA and Crédit Agricole each added 0.6%.

STMicroelectronics declined 1.7%, tracking weakness in US tech shares.



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The CAC 40 Index Closes 0.18% Lower
The CAC 40 Index fell 16 points or 0.18 percent on Friday to close at 8635 points. Leading the losses are STMicroelectronics (-1.87%), ENGIE (-1.57%) and Sanofi (-1.19%). Top gainers were Dassault Systemes (3.63%), TP (3.04%) and Edenred (2.18%).
2026-08-14
CAC 40 Slips as Middle East Tensions Persist
The CAC 40 shed 0.2% to close at 8,637 on Friday amid stalled negotiations to end the conflict in the Middle East. Persistent geopolitical tensions continued to fuel concerns over supply disruptions and inflation risks, with US President Donald Trump renewing calls for tougher economic pressure on Iran, while Tehran reportedly adopted a more assertive military posture. Annual inflation rose to 2.1% in July from 1.8% in June, confirming preliminary estimates and reinforcing expectations that price pressures remain elevated. Bond yields moved higher on energy-driven inflation concerns as oil prices rose, pressuring credit-sensitive stocks. Luxury shares posted losses amid higher risk aversion, with LVMH down 0.3%, L’Oréal shedding 0.9% and Kering losing 1%. Financials closed mixed, with Société Générale down 0.5% and BNP Paribas edging lower, while AXA and Crédit Agricole each added 0.6%. STMicroelectronics declined 1.7%, tracking weakness in US tech shares.
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French Stocks Poised to End 3-Week Gains
The CAC 40 traded little changed around 8,653 on Friday and was on track to end a three-week winning streak, as investors remained cautious amid stalled negotiations to end the Middle East conflict and restore normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Persistent geopolitical tensions continued to fuel concerns over supply disruptions and inflation risks, with US President Donald Trump renewing calls for tougher economic pressure on Iran, while Tehran reportedly adopted a more assertive military posture. On the domestic front, France's annual inflation rate rose to 2.1% in July 2026 from 1.8% in June, confirming preliminary estimates and reinforcing expectations that price pressures remain elevated. Among individual stocks, L'Oréal fell 0.2%, Schneider Electric lost 0.5%, Engie dropped 1.0%, and STMicroelectronics declined 1.5%. In contrast, defense and aerospace stocks outperformed, with Airbus rising 1.2%, Thales gaining 1.6%, and Dassault Systèmes climbing 3.9%.
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