The CAC 40 inched up 0.2% to close at 8,382 on Wednesday, lifted by gains in the luxury sector.
Luxury stocks outperformed, led by LVMH (+2.7%), Hermès (+2.4%), and Kering (+3.6%), on optimism that the global personal luxury goods market is recovering after Bain & Company noted stronger-than-expected second-quarter demand, particularly in the US. Meanwhile, investors continued to assess the impact of escalating tensions in the Middle East. Oil prices rose as the worsening US-Iran conflict continued to fuel concerns over global supply disruptions.
Higher energy prices also revived inflation worries.
Industrial and financial stocks traded lower, with Air Liquide down 1.9% and AXA shedding 0.8%.
STMicroelectronics lost 4%, tracking a selloff in US chipmakers.