Donald Trump announced that he would refrain for ten days from carrying out his threat to destroy Iranian power plants, once again pushing back his ultimatum as back-channel diplomatic discussions continue. The White House occupant assured that exchanges between Washington and Tehran were going "very well".

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced an intensification of strikes against Iran, which are also expected to expand to other "targets and areas" related to the manufacture and use of weapons directed against Israeli civilians.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived this Friday at the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey near Paris to participate in the second day of the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting, dominated by the war in the Middle East and its repercussions on the global economy.

In this context, Brent crude is down 2.10% at 104.20 USD.

On the macroeconomic front, the calendar is light this Friday. In the United Kingdom, retail sales volumes fell by 0.4% in February 2026, following a 2% increase in January (initially estimated at 1.8%) and a 0.1% rise in December 2025 (compared to the previously announced 0.4%).

In the United States, wholesale inventories and the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index will be among the key indicators to watch.

Stocks in motion

In corporate news, Pernod Ricard (+2.90%) is the top performer on the CAC 40 after confirming it is in discussions with the American group Brown-Forman, owner of the Jack Daniel's whiskey brand, regarding a possible merger. The main Paris index is being weighed down by STMicroelectronics (-5.09%), Legrand (-3.05%), and Eiffage (-2.89%).

For its part, LVMH (-0.28%) is losing ground. LVMH Profumi e Cosmetici Italia, a subsidiary of the French luxury group, is the subject of an investigation opened Friday by the Italian competition authority (AGCM), alongside Sephora Italia and Benefit Cosmetics, for possible unfair commercial practices. These reportedly relate to the promotion of face masks, serums, and anti-aging creams to minors. Hexaom (+9%) is surging at the top of the SRD market after targeting 20% growth in 2026 and raising its dividend.

On the currency market, the euro is down 0.17% at 1.1513 USD.