The CAC 40 rose 0.3% to 8,385 on Wednesday, extending gains from the previous session and reaching its highest level in a week as investors focused on corporate earnings and updates while keeping a close eye on escalating tensions in the Middle East. As the US carried out its eleventh consecutive day of strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump ruled out near-term negotiations with Tehran and vowed retaliation if Iran-backed Houthi rebels disrupt shipping in the Red Sea.
On the corporate front, Airbus climbed 5.1% to its highest level in six months after forecasting adjusted EBIT of €12–13 billion by 2029, reaffirming its 2026 guidance, announcing a €5 billion share buyback program, and highlighting plans to accelerate production across its A220, A320, A330, and A350 families.
In contrast, luxury stocks lagged the broader market as investors continued to rotate toward cyclical sectors, with LVMH slipping 1.0% and Hermès declining 1.2%.