Paris (France) (AFP) – The Paris Stock Exchange finally ended in balance on Thursday, torn between a respite on the rate front and the continued rise in oil amid new risks of regional tensions in the Middle East.

Published on: 03/09/2026 - 10:09 Modified on: 03/09/2026 - 19:24

The CAC 40 index ultimately increased by 5.77 points (+0.07%), closing at 8,286.40 points, below the performance of the pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 (+0.32%) or Stoxx Europe 600 (+0.49%) indices.

On Wednesday, the basket of 40 large French companies ended with a decline of 0.26%, to 8,280.63 points.

In Paris as elsewhere, the checkered day was marked by the pause in the surge in interest rates, which had weighed on the stock market since the start of the week.

Rates on ten-year French loans fell to 4.20%, compared to 4.25% the day before, a steeper decline than in Germany for the same maturity (3.34% compared to 3.37%).

This relaxation is due to the words of an influential governor of the American central bank (Fed), Christopher Waller, who is relaunching the debate on monetary policy, at least in the United States.

“If there is continued progress towards our 2% target, then I am prepared to support maintaining the key rate at its current level (3.75%, Editor’s note),” he said.

Inflation risks are still fueled by oil which is approaching $100 at $95.76 per barrel of Brent (+0.14%).

Iran again targeted US military targets in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, vowing to avenge the attack that killed four people at a wedding.

Soitec outperforms

Capgemini attracted investors like no other stock on Thursday (+4.66%, to 110 euros), proving that traditional IT services resist the promises of artificial intelligence (AI) and “vibe coding” (autonomous coding).

Publicis (+4.40% to 103.75 euros) has been entrusted with the world budget of PepsiCo, reported the specialized press, which obviously appeals to investors. The two automobile champions (Stellantis +4.21% to 4.70 euros and Renault +4.19% to 28.85 euros) completed the table of increases at +4%.

But the index was weighed down by glasses (EssilorLuxottica -3.62% to 152.956 euros) and luxury, which weighs heavily in Paris (Hermès -3.30% to 1,481.50 euros, Kering -2.02% to 244.60 euros and LVMH -1.81% to 431.05 euros).

Outside of the CAC 40, investors particularly appreciated the latest market information concerning the semiconductor materials specialist Soitec (+10.27% to 123.50 euros), which raised its growth forecasts thanks to demand for AI.

© 2026 AFP

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