On Tuesday, France’s equity benchmark CAC 40 experienced an upward movement as investors responded to recent corporate earnings announcements. The sentiment in the market exhibited a degree of caution, influenced by heightened tensions in the Middle East. The CAC 40, having risen to 8,040.03, recorded an increase of 53.13 points, reflecting a gain of 0.67% from the previous level of 8,029.25 shortly after noon. Reports indicate that the US and Iran are engaging in hostilities in the Gulf, coinciding with escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The speaker of Iran’s parliament asserted today that actions taken by the United States are jeopardizing shipping and energy transit in the Strait of Hormuz. ‘Shipping and energy transit security have been compromised by the United States and its allies due to violations of the ceasefire and the implementation of a blockade,’ Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated in a post on X. He stated that a ‘new equation’ was emerging in the strategic waterway, and added: ‘We know well that the continuation of the status quo is unbearable for America, while we have not even started yet.’

• Schneider Electric, Orange, Eiffage, Bouygues, EssilorLuxottica, and Vinci experienced gains ranging from 2% to 2.7%.
• Safran, Bureau Veritas, ArcelorMittal, Veolia Environment, STMicroelectronics, Michelin, and Thales experienced an increase ranging from 1.3% to 1.7%.
• BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Eurofins Scientific, Unibail Rodamco, LVMH, AXA, and Sanofi experienced an increase of 1% to 1.25%.