Paris equity markets finished in negative territory on Wednesday, with the benchmark CAC 40 retreating 2.18% and the broader SBF 120 slipping 2.12% at the close. Sector pressure came primarily from Basic Materials, Industrials and Consumer Goods, which weighed on the indexes throughout the session.
Among CAC 40 members, TotalEnergies SE (EPA:TTEF) was one of the few gainers, rising 2.32% - an increase of 1.57 points to close at 69.35. STMicroelectronics NV (EPA:STMPA) added 0.33%, finishing at 58.49, and Legrand SA (EPA:LEGD) edged up 0.28% to 142.15 by late trade.
In contrast, several large-cap stocks posted more pronounced declines. Stellantis NV (EPA:STLAM) fell 5.85%, a drop of 0.29 points to 4.69, with the stock noted in market commentary as having reached 5-year lows. Societe Generale SA (EPA:SOGN) declined 5.79% or 4.38 points to end at 71.30, while luxury group Kering SA (EPA:PRTP) was down 4.98%, losing 12.55 points to close at 239.65.
Turning to the SBF 120, Gaztransport et Technigaz SA (EPA:GTT) led the gainers, up 3.64% to 193.80. Vallourec (EPA:VLLP) rose 3.24% to settle at 21.04, and Viridien SA (EPA:VIRI) gained 2.38% to close at 81.75.
The lower end of the SBF 120 was marked by steep falls in several names. Vivendi SA (EPA:VIV) dropped 11.65% to 1.94 in late trade, Air France KLM SA (EPA:AIRF) fell 6.55% to settle at 12.84, and Stellantis NV (EPA:STLAM) again appears among the session's weakest, down 5.85% to 4.69 at the close.
Market breadth was negative on the Paris Stock Exchange, with falling stocks outnumbering advancers by a margin of 320 to 135, while 82 issues finished unchanged.
Volatility on the CAC 40 options market rose to a new 52-week high, with the CAC 40 VIX unchanged on the day at 18.96 - a level described in trading reports as the highest in the past year.
Commodities saw divergent moves. Gold futures for August delivery were reported down 2.65% - a decline of 110.23 to $4,047.17 a troy ounce. Oil prices gained: crude for August delivery rose 7.50% or 5.28 to $75.72 a barrel, and the September Brent contract advanced 8.00% or 5.93 to trade at $80.09 a barrel.
In foreign exchange trading, EUR/USD was essentially unchanged at 1.14, moving 0.11%, while EUR/GBP was flat at 0.85, changing 0.18%. The US Dollar Index Futures were up 0.22% at 101.00.
Market context and notable observations
- Broad declines across core sectors pushed both the CAC 40 and SBF 120 lower by roughly 2%.
- Large-cap energy and technology names showed small gains, while banks, autos and luxury stocks recorded sharper losses.
- Volatility on CAC 40 options registered a 52-week high at 18.96.
Counts and closing dynamics
- Declining issues: 320
- Advancing issues: 135
- Unchanged: 82
This report records the official closing moves across Paris trading on Wednesday and the associated changes in selected commodities and currency pairs.