The other European markets were somewhat more subdued, as seen with Frankfurt’s DAX 40, which edged up just 0.12% to 25,021.65 points, and London’s FTSE 100, which inched up 0.03% to 10,688.14 points.

In the United States, as of 5:45 p.m., indices were on the rise after losing more than 1% the previous day. The Dow Jones was up 0.76%, the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.90%, and the S&P 500 gained 0.57%.

Automakers Smile, Banks Frown

Within the CAC 40, automakers stood out. Stellantis and Renault rose by 1.95% and 1.81%, respectively. Yet, according to ACEA, new passenger car sales in the European Union fell by 3.9% in January. Renault Group’s sales dropped 16.7%, while Stellantis sales increased by 9.1%.

Conversely, declines in the banking sector weighed on the trend, as seen with Crédit Agricole, down 1.12%, and BNP Paribas, down 1.43%. This pattern was mirrored across other European markets, such as in Spain where Santander lost 2.34%, and in Italy where Intesa dropped 1.74%. Uncertainty over tariffs penalized the sector, as did concerns about the disruptive side of AI, which could affect banks and private equity firms.

Technology companies also took a hit amid worries over AI expansion: Atos, for example, lost 2.34%.
Outside the CAC 40, Forvia was in demand on the stock exchange (+3.77%), posting one of the best performances in the SBF 120. The stock rebounded after three consecutive declines, totaling a 12.81% loss following the release of its annual results and short- and medium-term outlook.

Edenred shares jumped 3.93% after reporting group net profit of €521 million for 2025, up 2.8%, and a record adjusted earnings per share of €2.59, up 10%.

Elsewhere in Europe, Fresenius Medical Care suffered heavy selling in Frankfurt (-7.37%) after presenting its annual results, but especially due to its 2026 outlook, which investors found somewhat lackluster.

Novo Nordisk continued its decline, falling 3.08% this evening. The previous day, the stock had plummeted 16.48% after the publication of a study showing that competitor Eli Lilly’s product was more effective for weight loss than the Danish firm’s CagriSema. In addition, Novo Nordisk announced steep cuts to U.S. list prices starting January 1, 2027.

Macroeconomics and Politics

On the macroeconomic front, the day’s agenda was light, and investors made do with the consumer confidence index calculated by the Conference Board in the United States. In February, confidence improved. Expected to decline from 89 (revised from 84.5) to 87 points, it ultimately reached 91.2 points, its highest level since October 2025.

In France, the General Directorate of Customs and Indirect Taxes announced the imposition by the United States of a global 10% tariff, under Article 122 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974, thus replacing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn certain tariff increases implemented by Donald Trump. French customs also indicate that the rate is expected to rise to 15% in the coming hours, in line with statements from the President of the United States over the weekend (to be taken with caution in case of another reversal by the U.S. President).

On the currency market, the euro slipped slightly against the greenback (-0.04%) and was trading at 1.1788 dollars.