CAC 40 Closes at 7,969.42 Points as AI Spending Concerns Weigh
Published on 10/30/2026 at 19:07 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSCAC 40 Ends October Slightly Lower
- The CAC 40 closed at 7,969.42 points on Friday, October 30, 2026, down 0.01 percent.
- Technology stocks weakened as Amazon and Intel revived concerns about the cost and returns of artificial intelligence investment.
- French inflation and economic data added to rate and growth uncertainty, while strong corporate earnings provided some support.
The CAC 40 finished the Friday, October 30, 2026 session at 7,969.42 points, down 0.01 percent, according to Ideal Investisseur. The Paris benchmark therefore ended almost unchanged after Thursday's 1.05 percent advance to 7,970 points.
Technology Weighs On European Shares
Investor sentiment was pressured by a renewed sell-off in technology stocks. Reuters, republished by the San Luis Obispo Tribune, reported that European technology shares weakened after Amazon and Intel results revived concerns over the scale of artificial intelligence capital spending and the time required to generate returns. The pan-European technology sector was down 2 percent in the morning, while chipmakers including STMicroelectronics, ASML, BESI and Infineon faced pronounced selling pressure.
That weakness was a headwind for the CAC 40, which has significant exposure to technology, luxury, industrial and financial companies. At the same time, the wider European earnings season continued to offer support. Reuters noted that strong results from companies including ASML, Shell and Airbus helped underpin confidence in corporate earnings, while Sanofi rose after reporting better-than-expected third-quarter results and raising its outlook.
French Data Keeps Rates In Focus
Domestic economic figures added to the uncertain backdrop. French preliminary data showed that gross domestic product contracted 0.1 percent quarter on quarter in the third quarter, while October consumer-price inflation accelerated to 3.4 percent year on year from 3.1 percent in September, according to Trading Economics. The combination of weaker growth and faster inflation keeps the outlook for European interest rates and French financing conditions in focus.
The European Central Bank's decision on Thursday to leave its deposit rate at 2.50 percent had initially supported regional equities, but the prospect of renewed inflation pressure and higher energy costs remains a risk for rate-sensitive sectors. The CAC 40's near-flat close suggests that this support was largely offset by the technology-led caution on Friday rather than signalling a decisive change in the index trend.
For further CAC 40 coverage, visit the CAC 40 topic page.
