The CAC 40 increased by 0.2% to 8,467 on Friday, breaking an eight-session decline as global bond markets stabilised following two days of significant volatility. Investors focused on a new set of European economic data, which included the most recent PMI surveys. In France, the flash Composite PMI decreased to 48.8 in August, down from 49.4 in July, continuing to indicate a contraction in economic activity.

Although the manufacturing sector began to develop again (51.5 vs. 49.8), the decline was caused by a worsening downturn in the services sector (48.4 vs. 49.6). In the meantime, France’s manufacturing business climate indicator increased to 103 in August, reaching its highest level since January and exceeding both market projections and July’s reading of 101.

Notable gainers included BNP Paribas, which saw an increase of 1.1%, STMicroelectronics with a rise of 1.7%, and Stellantis NV, also up by 1.1%. In contrast, the most significant underperformers included Thales (-1.4%), Publicis (-1.0%), and Capgemini (-2.2%). For the week, the CAC 40 was on track for a second consecutive weekly loss.