Thales Leads as CAC 40 Holds Steady Above 7,960 Points

A Firm Session, Echoing European Markets

The trend remains strong in the major markets across the continent. In Frankfurt, the DAX is advancing by 1.09% during the session, while the STOXX 600 gains 0.66% and London's FTSE 100 adds 0.19%. Across the Atlantic, the picture is more mixed: the S&P 500 increases by 0.12% and the Dow Jones by 0.33%, whereas the Nasdaq 100 drops 0.39%.

In the background, investors are digesting a packed macroeconomic context. In the United States, September inflation figures, deemed higher than expected, have reignited questions about the Federal Reserve's trajectory ahead of its late October meeting. In Europe, the summit of the Twenty-Seven in Brussels keeps energy issues, the European budget, and responses to Chinese imports at the forefront. In France, budget debates over the 2027 finance bill continue in a tense parliamentary climate. Nevertheless, nothing diverts Paris from its upward trajectory at this point in the day.

Defense and Automotive Sectors Boost the Stock Market

Leading the rankings, Thales gains 3.29% to 235.20 euros. The group has opened a service center in Japan, where it has been present for over 55 years, and aims to increase its local workforce by 16% by 2030 as part of its so-called « multi-domestic » strategy.

The automotive sector follows closely. Renault climbs 2.96% to 27.49 euros, and Stellantis 2.01% to 3.96 euros, the latter despite RBC Capital reducing its target price from 5 to 4 euros while maintaining a « sector performance » rating.

EssilorLuxottica gains 2.62% to 152.60 euros. Pernod Ricard rounds out the top five with a 2.61% increase to 68.34 euros, the day after publishing its quarterly revenue. The group reported a 0.9% organic decline in sales for the first quarter of its 2026/27 fiscal year, hindered by the United States and China. BNP Paribas Exane, maintaining an « underperform » rating, raised its target from 58 to 60 euros, while MedioBanca, maintaining a « neutral » rating, increased it from 80 to 81 euros.

Schneider Electric Trailing Behind Despite Raised Ambitions

At the other end of the spectrum, declines remain modest. Michelin falls by 0.91% to 33.78 euros, with CIC Market Solutions confirming its « hold » recommendation and target of 35 euros.

Schneider Electric drops 0.78% to 256 euros, a decline contrasting with its latest report. The company announced an organic revenue increase of 16.9% in the third quarter, to 11,460 million euros, exceeding consensus, and raised its annual target for organic adjusted EBITA growth to between 18% and 21%. However, the stock had seen several sessions of decline following the early October announcement of the PTC acquisition agreement. CIC Market Solutions maintains a « buy » recommendation and a target of 345 euros.

Sanofi (-0.49%), L'Oréal (-0.48%), and Eurofins Scientific (-0.45%) are at the bottom, with declines that are still limited. At this stage of the afternoon, the scope of gains clearly outstrips that of declines, confirming the positive tone of the Paris session.