The CAC 40 closed marginally higher at 7,825 on Friday, loosely extending its winning streak to a fifth session as investors took a breather while bets on a Federal Reserve rate cut next week mounted. US inflation data came in roughly in line with expectations even as jobless claims jumped to a near four-year high, reinforcing the case for imminent easing. The ECB signalled its rate-cut cycle may be over, with President Lagarde saying disinflation has largely run its course and growth risks are more balanced, and markets now await Fitch’s review of France’s sovereign rating after the close. Defence group Thales led gainers, up 2.8% as the Russia–Ukraine war intensified, while Schneider Electric (+1.0%), Kering (+0.9%) and Capgemini (+1.6%) also advanced. Luxury names Herm