The CAC 40 Index Closes 0.34% Lower

The CAC 40 advanced 0.3% to 8,046 on Wednesday, rebounding from losses in the previous session and tracking a broadly positive mood across European markets following the US midterm elections. The Democrats’ sweeping victory reflected voter dissatisfaction with economic pressures and the conflict in Iran, while raising expectations that the Trump administration could face greater constraints on its tax and spending plans. Still, concerns over AI infrastructure earnings persisted as newly elected lawmakers voiced opposition to data center expansion. Domestically, final estimates showed that the Composite PMI slipped to 46.6 in October from 51.1 in September, while the Services PMI fell to 46.2 from 51.2. Banking stocks led the gains, with BNP Paribas (2.3%), Crédit Agricole (2.0%), and Société Générale (3.4%) posting strong advances. Conversely, Thales (-3.7%), Dassault Systèmes (-2.1%), EssilorLuxottica (-1.6%), and L'Oréal (-0.3%) lagged.

The CAC 40 Index is picking up 28 points or 0.35 percent on Wednesday. Gains are led by Societe Generale (2.99%), BNP Paribas (2.22%) and ArcelorMittal (2.07%). Biggest losers are Thales (-4.68%), TP (-2.06%) and Stellantis NV (-1.81%).

The CAC 40 fell 0.3% to close at 8,020 on Tuesday, reversing the previous session’s gains as concerns over France’s deteriorating fiscal outlook weighed on markets. French equities remained under pressure after Fitch unexpectedly revised the country’s outlook to negative, citing deteriorating public finances, elevated government debt and borrowing costs, sluggish economic growth and political uncertainty. The budget deficit widened to €159.2 billion in January-September 2026, from €155.4 billion a year earlier. Airbus fell 1.4%, Safran lost 1.1%, while EssilorLuxottica and Vinci each shed 1.4%. In the luxury sector, Hermès lost 0.6% and L’Oréal declined 0.9%. In contrast, LVMH rose 2% on the session, although its shares remained down around 40% year-to-date amid slowing Chinese demand. In the energy sector, TotalEnergies lost 1.1% as oil prices extended the previous session’s plunge after US President Trump announced the US would end its financial support for Israel by year-end.