France stocks higher at close of trade; CAC 40 up 0.37%

French equities closed higher, with the CAC 40 gaining 0.37% and the broader SBF 120 up 0.38%. The advance was led by consumer goods, healthcare and basic materials stocks, while energy and defense names lagged. Standout gainers included Stellantis (+4.21%), ArcelorMittal (+2.32%) and LVMH (+2.12%), while Thales (-1.17%), TotalEnergies (-1.12%) and Engie (-1.10%) were among the weakest. Market breadth was positive, with rising stocks outnumbering decliners 266 to 179. The report also noted the CAC 40 VIX held at 18.96, a new 52-week high, suggesting elevated option-implied volatility despite the index’s gain. Broader risk sentiment was mixed, as gold rose sharply and both Brent and crude oil were slightly higher, while the U.S. dollar index was marginally lower.