The flagship index of the Paris Stock Exchange. Tracks the 40 largest capitalizations listed on Euronext Paris (LVMH, TotalEnergies, Sanofi, L'Oréal, Hermès…). Analysis, performance, dividends and key session recaps.
The CAC 40 (Cotation Assistée en Continu) tracks the 40 largest market capitalizations on Euronext Paris. It's France's benchmark index, created in December 1987 with a base of 1,000 points.
Composition is reviewed quarterly by Euronext's Scientific Council. To qualify, a company must rank among the highest free-float capitalizations and most-traded volumes. Current heavyweights: LVMH, TotalEnergies, Sanofi, L'Oréal, Hermès, Schneider Electric, Airbus.
The CAC 40 is weighted by free-float market cap, capped at 15% per stock to prevent single-name dominance. LVMH and TotalEnergies regularly float near the cap.
Over 30 years (1996-2026), dividends reinvested, the CAC 40 returned ~5.5%/year vs ~9%/year for the S&P 500. The gap comes from sector weighting: CAC is dominated by luxury, energy, pharma and banks. The S&P 500 has US tech (Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Alphabet, Meta) that drove returns.
On the other hand, during correction phases (2000, 2008, 2022), the CAC often proves more defensive thanks to moderate cyclical names and generous dividends (~3-3.5%/year yield vs ~1.5% for S&P 500).
Typical mixed strategy: core exposure via a World ETF like MSCI World (captures US ecosystem) + CAC 40 satellite for European dividend yield (PEA-eligible).
Three main options:
PEA taxation: capital gains tax-exempt after 5 years, only 17.2% social contributions remain due. Contribution cap of €150k for classic PEA, €225k for PEA + PEA-PME couple.
TotalEnergies shares are down after the company reported second-quarter results that were weaker than those of its British competitors. The European oil sector is showing mixed performance.
The U.S. president says the ceasefire with Iran is on life support. European stock markets are expected to open sharply lower on Tuesday.
CAC 40 futures are down 60 points to 8,110 points this Friday morning. The U.S. jobs report and tensions surrounding the Iran-U.S. ceasefire are weighing on the market at the open.
The French giant is publishing its quarterly figures this Wednesday, expected to rise sharply thanks to the surge in hydrocarbon prices since the Middle East conflict.
The French asset management giant just launched its Bitcoin ETP on Euronext Paris. A first-of-its-kind approved by the AMF that changes the game for French savers.
The French luxury giant's share price plummets after disappointing Q1 sales. War and currency effects cost the group 290 million euros.
The CAC 40 gained ground on Tuesday morning on the back of easing geopolitical tensions. But LVMH disappointed with sales down 6%.
Patrick Pouyanné calls for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, even for ransom. A fifth of the world's oil is blocked. Three months before the crisis.
The week kicks off with analysts' opinions on several CAC 40 stocks. Kering, Legrand and Sodexo are at the heart of this week's recommendation adjustments.
Paris, London and Frankfurt fell back at the start of the session. The failure of negotiations between Washington and Teheran has triggered a wave of risk aversion on the Old Continent.
European markets tumbled on Monday morning. Paris lost 0.94%, Frankfurt 0.96%, London 0.56%. Cause: tensions between Iran and the United States over a threatened port blockade.
The Q1 2026 results season begins on Monday with LVMH. Ten companies will publish on April 23. Get ready to follow the real performance of the French market.
An agreement between Iran and the United States boosts the French economy. OFCE forecasts growth of 0.8% in 2026 if energy prices return to normal.
European stock markets are back on the rise following the signing of a 15-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran, agreed just before Trump's ultimatum.
the year's sector rotation is underway