The CAC 40 erased early gains to close nearly flat at 7,970 on Wednesday as persistent energy price volatility and caution ahead of major central bank decisions neutralized strength in the banking sector. While the index initially benefited from hopes of easing Middle East supply disruptions, the broader European sentiment soured as natural gas prices climbed and investors braced for updated economic projections from the Federal Reserve and tomorrow's European Central Bank meeting. Financials remained a primary pillar of support with Societe Generale surging 2.9% and BNP Paribas gaining 1.7% as markets weighed the impact of high interest rates on credit margins. In contrast, luxury and consumer giants faced downward pressure with LVMH and L'Oreal each falling 1% while Publicis dropped 3.7% following a broader retreat in tech and services. TotalEnergies provided a late-session hedge by rising 1.4% as WTI crude rebounded after reports of airstrikes on Iran's South Pars gas field.