Airbus plunges 6%, Renault tumbles as CAC 40 declines despite record results

CAC 40 Down, Weighed Down by Market Heavyweights

By midday, the CAC 40 was at 8,357.9 points, down 0.84%. The Paris trading session is marked by a clear imbalance: 27 stocks in the index are declining, while only 13 are gaining.

It's the atmosphere of a day filled with annual reports where investors are selling the news after buying the rumor. Several major companies in the CAC 40 have released solid, sometimes record-breaking results either this morning or the day before, yet they are experiencing significant sell-offs. This pattern is typical during earnings season: expectations have already been factored into stock prices, leading to automatic profit-taking once the figures are confirmed.

Orange leads gains with its new strategic plan, Pernod Ricard rebounds

In this gloomy context, a few stocks stand out. Orange leads the rankings with a rise of 5.92% to 17.88 euros. The telecom operator benefits from a dual catalyst: the successful completion of its three-year plan « Lead the Future, » with all 2025 objectives achieved, and the subsequent presentation of « Trust the Future, » its new roadmap for 2026-2030. The market appreciates the clarity of the trajectory, buoyed particularly by growth in Africa and the Middle East.

Pernod Ricard rises by 3.33% to 84.42 euros, a rebound that paradoxically comes after the release of a 5.9% decline in half-year revenue. The spirits group was heavily penalized in recent months; the results, although negative, seem to be less concerning than feared.

Among other notable gains, Dassault Systèmes increases by 1.83% to 17.53 euros. Carrefour moves up by 1.60% to 14.89 euros, driven by an annual comparable growth of 2.8% and the announcement of a large-scale digitalization partnership with Vusion. Sanofi gains 1.52% to 78.90 euros following the release of positive phase IIb results for duvakitug, its monoclonal antibody developed with Teva.

Airbus and Renault Heavily Penalized Despite Strong Results

The day's biggest loser is Airbus, falling 6.34% to 187.92 euros. The aerospace manufacturer had reported a record profit in 2025 with 793 commercial aircraft deliveries and an increased dividend. However, the stock, which had risen significantly in recent weeks, is experiencing massive sell-offs—a perfect example of the « sell the news » reflex dominating today's session.

The automotive sector is also under pressure. Renault drops 4.97% to 31.54 euros, again following solid annual results, with an operating margin of 6.3% and upgraded outlooks for 2026. Stellantis follows suit with a decline of 3.76% to 6.46 euros, driven by weakness in the sector.

Euronext is down 3.24% to 122.40 euros despite reporting double-digit revenue growth in 2025. Kering falls 2.44% to 269.60 euros, extending the luxury sector's difficult stretch. Overall, the midday session highlights a market taking profits after several weeks of gains, indifferent to the quality of the reports.