CAC 40 Dips Slightly as Economic Data Rolls In

CAC Futures Updates

French equities are exhibiting a varied performance on Friday morning as investors assess a range of regional economic indicators while closely monitoring geopolitical developments. The benchmark CAC 40 declined by 10.25 points, representing a decrease of 0.12%, standing at 8,610.68 approximately fifteen minutes before noon.

  • Pernod Ricard, having risen by almost 2%, stands as the leading performer in the index.
  • Euronext is experiencing an increase of 1.5%, with Capgemini and Schneider Electric also showing gains of 1.2% and 1.15%, respectively.
  • Vallourec is experiencing an increase of over 1.5% following Q4 revenue that exceeded expectations.
  • Sanofi, Eurofins Scientific, Thales, AXA, Bouygues, Unibail Rodamco, Legrand, and Veolia Environment have experienced an increase ranging from 0.4% to 1%.
  • Among the underperformers, Saint Gobain has decreased by 2.7%, Engie is experiencing a decline of approximately 2.3%, and EssilorLuxottica has fallen by 2%.
  • ArcelorMittal, STMicroelectronics, Renault, Airbus, LVMH, Publicis Groupe, and Credit Agricole have experienced declines ranging from 0.5% to 1%.

In economic news, it is reported that France’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 1% in February 2026, an increase from the 0.3% recorded in January, which represented the lowest reading since December 2020, based on preliminary estimates. In comparison to the preceding month, the CPI increased by 0.7%, marking the highest rise in two years, following a 0.3% increase in January. In the fourth quarter of 2025, France’s economy recorded a quarter-on-quarter expansion of 0.2%, a deceleration from the 0.5% growth observed in the third quarter, thereby corroborating preliminary estimates, as indicated by a separate report. This represented the weakest quarterly growth observed in the past three quarters.

On an annual basis, GDP expanded 1.2%, surpassing initial data of 1.1% and marking the strongest growth since Q1 2024, an increase from 1% in Q3. In the entirety of 2025, the French economy experienced a growth rate of 0.9%, a deceleration from the 1.1% recorded in 2024. In January 2026, French domestic producer prices experienced a month-on-month increase of 0.5%, building on an upwardly revised increase of 0.3% from the preceding month. This represents the fourth consecutive month of expansion. On an annual basis, the decline in producer prices has intensified, registering a decrease of 2.3%, the most significant drop since December 2024, in contrast to a 1.9% decline observed in December. In December of 2025, France’s Non-Farm Payrolls experienced an increase of 27,073 thousand, as reported.