The CAC 40 Sets New Records as Other European Markets Try to Keep Up
Major European stock markets are striving to maintain a bullish trend. The DAX 40 in Frankfurt is up 0.27%, the FTSE 100 in London advances by 0.20%, and the CAC 40 is currently rising by 0.77% to 8 625.30 points. During the session, the main Paris index reached a new all-time high at 8 628.36 points. The leading Parisian index has broken new records over the past three days.
Published on 02/26/2026 at 06:09 am EST
Contact us to request a correction
European Stocks Take Center Stage
In Europe, investors are still digesting a flurry of earnings reports and other news. Engie posted the largest gain on the CAC 40, up 8.10%. The group announced an agreement to acquire 100% of UK Power Networks for an equity value of £10.5 billion.
Schneider Electric climbed 4.36% after unveiling its 2025 results and outlook for 2026.
Bouygues added 1.36% after reporting solid full-year 2025 results. The conglomerate also indicated it is targeting stable revenue for 2026 at constant exchange rates.
At the bottom of the CAC 40 leaderboard, Société Générale slipped 1.26% as some investors took profits after a 3.17% gain the previous day.
Outside the index, Eramet fell 4.91%. The mining and metallurgical group suspended its 2026 targets after a fire at a site in Senegal forced it to halt production.
Elsewhere in Europe, Puma gained 3.27%. The arrival of Anta as the main shareholder with a 29% stake changes the landscape, as the Chinese giant commits to reviving sales in China—a lifeline that helps offset the €357 million loss and the cancellation of the dividend.
Rolls Royce advanced by 5.86%, as Tufan Erginbilgic's transformation plan is bearing fruit, with medium-term targets achieved two years ahead of schedule. The engine manufacturer also announced a massive share buyback program of £7 to £9 billion for 2026-2028 and 2026 forecasts that exceed consensus by 8%.
Conversely, the session proved more painful for Syensqo, which plunged 24.02%. The Belgian chemicals company tumbled after reporting operating results below expectations, hit by difficulties in its specialty polymers unit.
On the macroeconomic front, Thursday's calendar is particularly light. Among key indicators, only the weekly initial jobless claims are scheduled in the United States at 2:30 p.m. Analysts expect an increase to 215,000 units, up from 206,000 the previous week.
Regarding the European Central Bank, President Christine Lagarde stated that food inflation is expected to stabilize just above the 2% target by the end of this year.
On the currency market, the euro is falling against the greenback (-0.17%), trading at $1.1794.
In commodities, oil prices are declining. In London, North Sea Brent crude is down 1.50% to $69.70 a barrel.


















