The CAC 40 Stagnates Under Pressure from Oil and Banks

A sluggish session dominated by energy geopolitics

The Paris stock market is struggling to find direction. After an uncertain opening, the main index is moving close to its baseline, similar to the SBF 120, which is up 0.09%. The mood can be summed up as mixed: 20 stocks are rising, 18 are falling, and 2 remain stable.

In the background, energy tensions are on everyone's mind. Brent crude has climbed back above $105 a barrel after Washington rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief. This geopolitical risk premium revives inflation concerns and keeps bond yields under pressure, creating an environment not very conducive to risk-taking. In other European markets, the movement remains just as tentative: the STOXX 600 edges up 0.03% during the session, while the FTSE 100 gains 0.25%.

Stellantis and Essilor drive the market upwards

Leading the gains, Stellantis jumps 2.31% to 4.12 euros, marking the best performance in the index. The automotive manufacturer's stock tops a chart characterized by a diversity of sectors. Right behind, EssilorLuxottica rises 2.02% to 146.80 euros.

The retail sector is also in the mix with Carrefour, up 1.73% to 16.48 euros. The laboratory Eurofins Scientific gains 1.22%, reaching 78.30 euros. The stock exchange operator Euronext completes this top five with an advance of 1.19% to 161.40 euros. This eclectic group illustrates the lack of a unique guiding theme among the winners.

Bank Stocks and Steel Drag Down the Index

The most struggling sector is financials. ArcelorMittal ends with a decrease of 2.65% at 60.14 euros, as the steel industry remains exposed to rising energy costs. The banking sector heavily weighs on the trend: Société Générale drops 1.54% to 71.20 euros, BNP Paribas loses 0.97% to 98.34 euros.

Crédit Agricole falls 0.99% to 18.01 euros. The stock has been adjusted by Alphavalue, which downgraded its rating from « buy » to « accumulate » and revised its target price from 25.60 to 21.90 euros. The luxury sector also contributes to the gloom: LVMH slips 0.74% to 393.90 euros. A mixed picture leaves the Paris market hanging on the evolution of oil prices, in a session lacking a real upward driver.