France’s equity benchmark CAC 40 advanced on Monday, building on recent gains as worries about geopolitical tensions subsided and expectations grew that central banks would likely maintain current interest rates for the time being. Data indicating a continued contraction in the French construction sector activity constrained the market’s potential for growth.

The CAC 40, having reached a peak of 8,561.38 earlier in the session, was up by a modest 10.72 points or 0.13% at 8,518.79 approximately thirty minutes past noon.

• Thales experienced a 2% increase. The technology and defence firm has reached an agreement to acquire the Gorge family’s 35.51% stake in the high-technology industrial group Exail Technologies.
• EssilorLuxottica experienced an increase of 2.3%. Publicis Groupe experienced an increase of nearly 2%.
• Stellantis experienced an increase of 1.8%, whereas Euronext, Capgemini, Airbus, Dassault Systemes, and LVMH saw gains ranging from 1% to 1.5%.
• Michelin, Sanofi, Eurofins Scientific, L’Oreal, Societe Generale, AXA, Bureau Veritas, Kering, Safran, and Danone experienced an increase ranging from 0.5% to 0.9%.
• ArcelorMittal declined by 2.5%, while Eiffage experienced a decrease of 2%. Schneider Electric, STMicroelectronics, Engie, Orange, Bouygues, Legrand, Carrefour, Veolia Environment, and Accor experienced declines ranging from 0.5% to 1.6%.

Shares of Vinci concessions and construction company experienced a decline of approximately 2%, even as the group secured three long-term contracts for road infrastructure and maintenance in Greater London, collectively valued at nearly €70 million annually. In economic news, data indicated that the S&P Global France Construction PMI decreased to 38.2 in June from 39.6 in May, signalling a more rapid contraction in construction activity.