French equities closed higher on Friday, with the main benchmark climbing to its highest level in three months as a broad advance in Utilities, Basic Materials and Industrials supported the market.
At the close in Paris, the CAC 40 rose 0.39% to register a new three-month high, while the SBF 120 increased 0.49%.
Certain industrial and resource-related names were among the session's strongest performers. ArcelorMittal SA (AS:MT) led gains on the CAC 40, rising 5.89% - an increase of 3.26 points - to finish at 58.60. Veolia Environnement VE SA (EPA:VIE) added 2.80%, gaining 1.02 points to close at 37.51. Energy and utilities exposure in the index showed strength too, with Engie SA (EPA:ENGIE) up 2.06%, or 0.56 points, to 27.73.
Not all large-cap names moved higher. Stellantis NV (EPA:STLAM) was the session's biggest decliner on the CAC 40, falling 3.47% - down 0.18 points - to end at 4.93. Lens losses were also recorded in parts of the consumer-facing sector, with EssilorLuxottica SA (EPA:ESLX) slipping 1.80%, or 3.15 points, to 172.20, and Kering SA (EPA:PRTP) retreating 1.62%, a decline of 4.10 points, to 248.45.
On the broader SBF 120, semiconductor-related X Fab Silicon Foundries EV (EPA:XFAB) posted the most pronounced advance, jumping 8.94% to 7.86. ArcelorMittal SA (AS:MT) also featured among the SBF 120 winners, rising 5.89% to 58.60, and Spie SA (EPA:SPIE) gained 5.50% to close at 52.75.
The SBF 120's laggards mirrored the CAC 40's underperformers. Stellantis NV (EPA:STLAM) fell 3.47% to 4.93 in late trade, EssilorLuxottica SA (EPA:ESLX) lost 1.80% to settle at 172.20 and Kering SA (EPA:PRTP) declined 1.62% to 248.45 at the close.
Market breadth was positive: rising stocks outnumbered decliners on the Paris exchange by 271 to 199, while 75 issues finished unchanged.
Veolia's shares reached a notable milestone during the session, rising to a five-year high as the stock climbed 2.80% to 37.51.
Volatility measures were steady. The CAC 40 VIX, which reflects implied volatility on CAC 40 options, was unchanged at 18.96 - a new 52-week high - recording no percentage change for the session.
Commodities traded mixed. Gold futures for August delivery gained 1.23%, or 50.79, to trade at $4,176.49 a troy ounce. Crude oil for August delivery was essentially flat, up 0.01% or 0.01 to $68.70 a barrel, while the September Brent contract rose 0.33% or 0.24 to $72.04 a barrel.
In currencies and benchmarks, EUR/USD was effectively unchanged, moving 0.03% to 1.14, while EUR/GBP was unchanged, shifting 0.02% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures also registered no change, holding at 100.62.
Market takeaway - The European trading day closed with modest gains in Paris, with Materials and Utilities among the sectors that contributed most strongly to the advance. A small group of high-profile names undercut the rally, leaving the overall picture mildly positive.