The CAC 40 rose 1% to close at 7 709 on Thursday, aliging with its peers as investors cheered a string of upbeat corporate earnings and shrugged off the impact of new US reciprocal tariffs on EU goods, which now face a 15% levy. Renewed hopes for a breakthrough in the Ukraine–Russia conflict further underpinned the rally after traders interpreted fresh diplomatic talks as a sign of de-escalation. Schneider Electric was among top performers adding 2.2%, followed by financial giants AXA and Societe Generale adding 2% and 2.1%. Meanwhile, top performers Accor (5.6%), ArcelorMittal (4.3%), and Stellantis (3.6%) all surged leading the index higher. By contrast Thales fell 3% as defence spending appeared set to ease if the war wanes. On the economic front France’s trade deficit held at an eight-month high of € 7.6 billion in June after exports rose 3.4% to € 50.6 billion and imports increased 2.9% to € 58.3 billion amid higher machinery and energy purchases.