Paris Stock Exchange: CAC 40 slumps mid-session, three out of four stocks in the red

A Challenging Session: 30 out of 40 CAC 40 Stocks Decline

The imbalance is striking. At 12:30 PM, only 10 stocks of the CAC 40 show a gain, while 30 are declining. None are at equilibrium. This ratio reflects a session dominated by sellers, with no single sectoral catalyst standing out.

The context remains influenced by geopolitical tensions between Washington and Tehran. On Sunday, March 23, the markets sharply dropped before rebounding later in the day following the announcement of discussions described as « very fruitful » by Donald Trump, which eased the threat of US strikes on Iran. Three days later, the uncertainty has not dissipated. The VIX, often considered the market's fear gauge, is up by 3.06% at 26.95 points, indicating persistent investor nervousness.

The SBF 120 is following a similar path, down by 0.83% at 5,889.07 points at the same time.

Kering, TotalEnergies, and Sanofi hold steady in a challenging market

In this bleak landscape, a few stocks manage to stand out. Kering leads the way with a rise of 2.26% to €257.75, with no specific news identified at this point to explain the rebound.

TotalEnergies climbs 1.09% to €77.71. The oil giant’s stock is moving in a context where the Strait of Hormuz—through which a significant portion of the world’s crude oil passes—remains a key issue following last week’s US ultimatum. The threat has temporarily subsided, but the energy market continues to digest the episode.

Carrefour gains 1.01% to €15.57, followed by L'Oréal, up 0.58% to €354.05. Sanofi advances 0.46% to €80.43, benefiting from favorable conditions: Dupixent, its flagship treatment developed with Regeneron, has just received a new approval in Japan for treating moderate to severe bullous pemphigoid, further expanding the scope of this blockbuster already marketed in over 60 countries. Additionally, the group has published its quarterly fact sheet ahead of its first-quarter results.

ArcelorMittal, Legrand, Société Générale: Declines Affect All Sectors

On the downside, the decline is widespread and not limited to a particular sector. ArcelorMittal shows the largest drop in the CAC 40, falling by 3.38% to 44.53 euros. The steel company, highly sensitive to global economic outlooks, is being hit hard by the risk-averse climate.

Legrand decreases 2.99% to 134.70 euros. Société Générale loses 2.49% to 63.56 euros, highlighting the pressure on banking stocks in a highly volatile environment. The aerospace sector is also affected: Safran falls by 2.22% to 281.70 euros and Airbus by 2.07% to 164.98 euros.

The extent of the decline and the variety of sectors impacted—materials, electrical equipment, banking, aerospace—confirm that this midweek session is driven more by an overall sense of caution than by company-specific news. Four days after the roller-coaster ride triggered by the Iranian crisis, European markets continue to navigate blindly, in a climate where even the smallest geopolitical statement can shift the trend.