The CAC 40 Index Closes 0.39% Lower

The CAC 40 Index decreased 31 points or 0.39 percent on Wednesday to close at 8123 points. The decline was led by Eurofins Scientific SE (-3.55%), Unibail Rodamco (-2.55%) and Pernod Ricard (-2.24%). On the upside, the strongest performers were TP (3.87%), Essilor (3.11%) and TotalEnergies SE (1.95%).

The CAC 40 fell 0.4% to close at 8,123 on Wednesday as higher oil prices stoked concerns about inflationary pressures, driving yields higher. Eurozone sovereign yields, including French yields, soared to multi-decade highs as strong economic growth and higher energy prices reinforced expectations that the ECB will continue raising interest rates this year. The Eurozone’s PMI was stronger than expected for both services and manufacturing, while the survey confirmed that soaring energy prices were passed through to output charges. Domestically, flash data showed France’s Composite PMI jumping to 51.2 in September from 48.5 in August, marking its strongest reading since August 2024. Financials closed lower, with BNP Paribas down 1.1% and AXA losing 1.6%. Luxury stocks also weighed, with L’Oreal down 2.3% and LVMH shedding 2.3%. Industrials closed mixed. TotalEnergies rose 1.9% on the oil rebound.

The CAC 40 rose 0.4% to 8,185 on Wednesday, extending gains for a third straight session as signs of progress in US-Iran talks and optimism over a key international meeting lifted risk appetite. Sentiment improved after President Trump called talks with Iranian officials “very good,” while Tehran signaled it could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Washington eases military pressure and lifts restrictions on Iranian ports. Investors were also encouraged ahead of the Trump-Xi summit from September 23 to 25, which could yield fresh trade agreements. Domestically, flash data showed Composite PMI jumped to 51.2 in September from 48.5 in August, marking its strongest reading since August 2024. The return to expansion was driven by the services sector (51.4 vs 48.0), even as the manufacturing sector (50.3 vs 51.1) eased. Among the top performers were LVMH (1.3%), Safran (1.1%), BNP Paribas (1.0%), EssilorLuxottica (1.0%), and Christian Dior (1.1%).