The CAC 40 Index Closes 0.26% Lower

The CAC 40 fell 0.3% to 8,281 on Wednesday, its lowest level in more than a month. As eurozone inflation rose to 3.3% and energy costs surged, markets increasingly priced in another rate hike later this month. In France, the 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 increased 4.8% to EUR 328.1 billion. Meanwhile, oil prices remained elevated as conflicts in the Middle East persisted. Luxury stocks closed mixed, with LVMH down 1.3% and Hermes losing 0.7%, while L’Oreal added 1.5% and Kering gained 1%. Industrial stocks mostly fell, with Schneider Electric down 0.5%, Safran losing 0.9% and Thales declining 0.6%. Financials were also mostly lower, with AXA down 0.9%. In contrast, TotalEnergies rose 0.9% on higher energy prices. STMicroelectronics rose 3.3%, with President and CFO Lorenzo Grandi set to address investors at Citi’s Global TMT Conference.

The CAC 40 Index decreased 21 points or 0.26 percent on Wednesday to close at 8281 points. The decline was led by Renault (-3.96%), Stellantis NV (-2.57%) and Vinci (-2.19%). On the upside, the strongest performers were STMicroelectronics (3.67%), Eurofins Scientific SE (1.79%) and L'Oréal (1.62%).

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%.