The CAC 40 Index Closes 0.33% Higher

The CAC 40 Index gained 27 points or 0.33 percent on Monday to close at 8306 points. Gains were led by STMicroelectronics (3.78%), Schneider Electric (2.77%) and Legrand (2.36%). Biggest losers were Edenred (-2.69%), Dassault Systemes (-2.19%) and Michelin (-1.69%).

The CAC 40 reversed early losses to close about 0.3% up at 8,306 on Monday, its highest level in a week and ranking among the strongest performers across Europe. Technology provided the main support, led by STMicroelectronics (+4.1%) following a renewed enthusiasm for AI after the launch of GPT-6 Astra by OpenAI, the startup's " world's smartest " model. Schneider Electric and Legrand also advanced solidly, each rising 2.6%. TotalEnergies gained 1.6%, supported by higher oil prices and news that it had completed several major contractual and commercial milestones for the Papua LNG project. On the downside, Dassault Systemes, Michelin and Kering saw the biggest losses. Meanwhile, investors remained wary as geopolitical tensions drove energy prices higher, while expectations of additional rate hikes and mounting political uncertainty in Europe reinforced caution. The ECB is widely expected to deliver a 25-bps rate hike on Thursday, while markets are also pricing in a Fed hike next week.

The CAC 40 fell 0.2% to 8,264 on Monday, extending losses from the previous week and hitting its lowest level since early July, as investors grew cautious over expectations for further interest rate hikes by major central banks. The European Central Bank is widely expected to raise borrowing costs later this week, with markets also pricing in another rate increase in December. Expectations for tighter monetary policy were reinforced by renewed inflation concerns after the US and Iran exchanged strikes on vessels over the weekend. Luxury stocks were among the biggest drags on the index, with both LVMH and Hermès falling 1% and Kering losing 1.8%. On the upside, TotalEnergies rose 1.7%, while STMicroelectronics and Legrand gained 2.3% and 1.2%, respectively.