French Stocks Fall After Israel-Iran Tensions

The CAC 40 index fell 1.1% to close at 7,684 on Friday, marking a third consecutive session of losses and a sharp weekly drop, as escalating tensions in the Middle East weighed on global markets.

Early Friday, Israel launched large-scale airstrikes against Iran, hitting military and nuclear targets, and declared a state of emergency amid warnings of imminent retaliation.

Iranian state media reported, without confirmation, the possible death of Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami.

Tehran vowed a harsh response against Israel and the US, though Washington said the strikes were Israel's independent action in self-defense.

On the domestic economic front, final estimates confirmed that the annual inflation rate fell to 0.7% in May 2025, from 0.8% in March and April, reaching the lowest level since February 2021.

Among stocks, Stellantis (-3.5%), Accor (-3.4%) and Teleperformance (-2.9%) posted the steepest losses, while Engie (1.3%) and Orange (1.0%) advanced.