The CAC 40 Index Opens 0.25% Lower

The CAC 40 fell 0.2% to around 8,283 on Wednesday, extending losses for a third consecutive session and hitting its lowest level in more than a month as escalating tensions in the Middle East kept investors on edge. The latest developments sent oil prices higher, stoking inflation concerns and fueling expectations of tighter monetary policy. As the eurozone inflation rate accelerated to 3.3% and energy costs surged, markets are increasingly pricing in another ECB rate hike later this month. On the economic front, France’s state budget deficit widened to EUR 145.9 billion in January–July 2026, from EUR 142 billion a year earlier. Revenues rose 3.3% year-on-year to EUR 204.72 billion, while expenditures climbed 4.8% to EUR 328.1 billion. LVMH fell 1.6% to a more than two-month low, while other notable laggards included Kering (-1.1%), Publicis (-1.5%), and Société Générale (-1.0%). On the upside, L’Oréal gained 1.1%, STMicroelectronics advanced 1.4%, and BNP Paribas rose 0.6%.

The CAC 40 Index is losing 21 points. Losses were led by Publicis (-1.65%), Kering (-1.56%) and Michelin (-1.49%). Offsetting the fall, top gainers were STMicroelectronics (1.71%), Accor (1.18%) and L'Oréal (1.17%).

The CAC 40 fell 0.4% to close at 8,302 on Thursday, reversing early gains and tracking broader weakness in global equities. Rising oil prices amid escalating Middle East tensions added to inflationary pressures, while investors increased bets on further ECB tightening. Higher energy costs and expectations of a Fed hike also pushed global bond yields higher. Eurozone inflation accelerated for a second consecutive month to 3.3% in August, in line with forecasts and the highest since September 2023. Luxury stocks fell, with LVMH down 1.8%, L’Oreal losing 1.4%, Hermes shedding 2.4% and Kering tumbling 2.7%. Industrials also declined, led by Safran (-2.6%) and Thales (-2.1%). Tech stocks tracked losses in Wall Street chipmakers. In contrast, TotalEnergies gained 2.7% on higher oil prices, while Air Liquide rose 2.1% after reports that Elliott Investment Management had built a stake.