France: CAC 40 Slides on Geopolitical Risks.

The CAC 40 fell 1.6% to close at 8,299 on Thursday on escalating geopolitical tensions. Oil prices surged as renewed attacks heightened concerns over global energy supplies, reigniting inflation fears and reinforcing expectations that interest rates could remain higher for longer. Financials traded lower, with Societe Generale down 2.9% and BNP Paribas shedding 2.8% despite upbeat Q2 results. Luxury stocks tumbled on increased risk aversion, with LVMH down 4.3%, L'Oreal shedding 3.1%, Hermes losing 3.4%, and Kering falling 4.8%. STMicroelectronics plunged 17.7% after issuing weaker-than-expected Q3 sales guidance. In contrast, Thales gained 5.1% after reporting a surge in first-half orders and beating EPS forecasts, while TotalEnergies rose 2.5% after posting a 68% jump in adjusted net income to $6.03 billion and revenue above estimates. The ECB left interest rates unchanged, saying its energy price outlook remains broadly in line with its June projections despite ongoing volatility.