The CAC 40 Index Closes 0.27% Higher

The CAC 40 Index went up by 23 points or 0.27 percent on Wednesday to close at 8462 points. The rise was led by ArcelorMittal (3.20%), Safran (1.91%) and Kering (1.74%). On the downside, the weakerst performers were Capgemini (-2.65%), ENGIE (-1.46%) and Eurofins Scientific SE (-1.28%).

The CAC 40 climbed 0.3% to close at 8,462 on Wednesday amid increasing hopes for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices eased after Iran said it had resumed discussions with Oman on managing traffic through the waterway, following heightened economic pressure from the US. Credit-sensitive sectors were mixed as energy costs remained elevated and uncertainty over US-Iran peace prospects persisted. BNP Paribas added 1.2%, while Société Générale shed 0.3%. Luxury stocks were also mixed amid geopolitical risks and ahead of Fitch’s rating review of France on August 28th. LVMH gained 0.7% and Kering rose 2.2%, while L’Oreal shed 0.3% and Hermes lost 0.6%. Industrials were mostly higher, with Schneider Electric up 1%, Airbus rising 0.6% and Safran adding 1.9%. Pernod Ricard (+0.6%) will release its full-year FY26 sales and results report on Thursday. TotalEnergies shed 0.5% on lower oil prices.

The CAC 40 climbed 0.5% to 8,483 on Wednesday, ending two straight sessions of losses as hopes for a near-term reopening of the Strait of Hormuz boosted risk appetite. Oil prices eased after Iran said it had resumed discussions with Oman on managing traffic through the strategic waterway, after heightened economic pressure from US President Trump amid the broader conflict. However, investor caution lingered ahead of Fitch's rating review of France on August 28, while markets also closely watched budget negotiations and the approaching presidential election cycle. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s minority government is expected to unveil its full budget proposal in late September, but the fiscal outlook remains uncertain as political attention increasingly shifts toward the highly contested presidential race. Luxury stocks led the advance, particularly LVMH (1.2%), Hermès (1.5%), and Kering (1.8%). Other gainers included Airbus (1.3%), Safran (1.6%), and Saint-Gobain (1.2%).