French Equities Gain as CAC 40 Rises 0.40%, Energy Stocks Lag

French stocks advanced at the close of trading on Monday, with the benchmark CAC 40 index climbing 0.40%. The broader SBF 120 index also finished the session in positive territory, gaining 0.38%.

Sector Divergence Drives Market

The day's gains were primarily led by strength in the Consumer Services, Healthcare, and Financials sectors. However, a significant drop in global energy prices created a drag on commodity-linked stocks, leading to a mixed performance across the Paris exchange.

Market breadth was positive, with 273 stocks rising compared to 194 decliners, while 86 companies finished the session unchanged, according to closing data.

Key performers on the CAC 40 included:

• Capgemini SE (CAPP): +5.83%
• Pernod Ricard SA (PERP): +3.02%
• Thales (TCFP): +2.96%

Energy Stocks Fall with Oil Prices

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In contrast, energy giants were among the session's worst performers, tracking a sharp sell-off in the oil market. Crude oil for September delivery fell 6.76%, while the Brent oil contract dropped 5.63%. This weakness was reflected in the share prices of major energy firms.

The biggest laggards on the benchmark index were:

• Engie SA (ENGIE): -2.84%
• TotalEnergies SE (TTEF): -2.00%
• STMicroelectronics NV (STMPA): -1.88%

Volatility Index Signals Caution

Despite the modest gains in the main index, a key gauge of market anxiety remained elevated. The CAC 40 VIX, which measures the implied volatility of options, was unchanged at 18.96, a new 52-week high. This suggests that while the market closed higher, investors may still be bracing for future turbulence.

Elsewhere in financial markets, Gold Futures for August delivery saw a slight increase, while major currency pairs such as the EUR/USD and EUR/GBP were largely stable.