The CAC 40 Index Opens 1.59% Lower

The CAC 40 fell 1.4% to 7,856 on its first trading day of October, hitting its lowest level since late March as investors cautiously await on France's upcoming 2027 budget amid growing concerns over the country's deteriorating public finances. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is due to unveil the draft budget, with the government targeting a reduction in the fiscal deficit to 5% of GDP in 2027 from 5.4% this year through a €54 billion fiscal consolidation package combining spending cuts and selective tax measures. The plan includes pension savings, a public-sector wage freeze, changes to state-funded sick leave, and an extension of a one-off levy on large companies. With borrowing costs rising and investors growing wary, competing proposals to curb France's debt burden have emerged as a key issue ahead of April's presidential race. Most stocks traded lower, with financials among the worst decliners, including BNP Paribas (-2.6%), Credit Agricole (-2.7%), and Societe Generale (-2.6%).

The CAC 40 Index is dropping 127 points. Leading the losses are Accor (-2.94%), Capgemini (-2.79%) and Edenred (-2.65%).

The CAC 40 Index decreased 71 points or 0.89 percent on Wednesday to close at 7965 points. The decline was led by TP (-6.10%), TotalEnergies SE (-3.16%) and AXA (-2.62%). On the upside, the strongest performers were Sanofi (1.48%), Air Liquide (1.18%) and Capgemini (0.87%).