Paris Market Close: Wall Street Gives a Tiny Nudge as CAC40 Nears 8,000 Points (August 23, 2025)

• How Did Wall Street Influence Paris’s Market Today?
• Which Stocks Led the Gains in Paris?
• Why Did Air Liquide’s Big Move Get a Lukewarm Response?
• Which Stocks Dragged Their Feet?
• What’s Next for the CAC40?
• FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

The Paris stock market edged higher on Friday, August 23, 2025, with the CAC40 climbing 0.4% to 7,970 points, just shy of the psychological 8,000 mark. The modest gains were fueled by Wall Street’s Optimism after Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted at potential rate cuts during the Jackson Hole symposium. Meanwhile, Air Liquide’s major Asian acquisition and mixed performances in luxury and tech stocks dominated the day’s chatter. Here’s the full breakdown.

How Did Wall Street Influence Paris’s Market Today?

Paris’s bourse got a slight boost from Wall Street this afternoon, with the CAC40 inching closer to 8,000 points before settling at 7,970—up 0.4%. The real action, though, was across the pond. U.S. indices surged after Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech, where he teased the possibility of monetary easing. According to TradingView data, the odds of a 25-basis-point rate cut next month skyrocketed to over 90%, up from 70% pre-Powell. In my experience, these Fed whispers often send ripples through global markets, and today was no exception.

Which Stocks Led the Gains in Paris?

Tech and luxury stocks stole the spotlight. STMicroelectronics jumped nearly 5% to €23.40, riding the coattails of its U.S. peers. Luxury giants LVMH and Kering gained over 2%, while Hermès added a modest 1.2%. Alstom, the rail titan, climbed 2.2% to €22 after Bernstein bumped its price target to €25, calling it a "market performer." Not bad for a Friday, eh?

Why Did Air Liquide’s Big Move Get a Lukewarm Response?

Air Liquide’s acquisition of South Korea’s DIG Airgas—its largest deal since the $13B Airgas buyout a decade ago—somehow left investors yawning. The stock barely budged (-0.1%), stuck at €183. Jefferies analysts shrugged it off, noting that while the deal’s implied EBITDA multiple (20.2x) looks steep, "strategic M&A options in industrial gases are slim." Air Liquide countered, arguing synergies could drop that multiple to 14.8. Pro tip: When a €2.85B deal gets ignored, it’s either priced to perfection or everyone’s already on vacation.

Which Stocks Dragged Their Feet?

Coty took another hit, down 0.7% to €3.36 after posting a surprise Q4 loss and warning of weak U.S. beauty demand. The stock had already cratered 20% yesterday—its worst drop since 2020. L’Oréal also dipped 0.4% to €399, maybe because even French elegance can’t escape global consumer jitters.

What’s Next for the CAC40?

With Powell’s dovish hints and the CAC40 flirting with 8,000, next week could be spicy. But let’s not jinx it—remember, markets have a knack for humbling the overconfident. As one BTCC analyst quipped, "In finance, the only certainty is volatility." (Disclaimer: This article does not constitute investment advice.)

FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

Why did the CAC40 rise today?

The index gained 0.4% to 7,970, lifted by Wall Street’s rally after Fed Chair Powell signaled potential rate cuts.

How significant is Air Liquide’s DIG Airgas deal?

At €2.85B, it’s their biggest MOVE since 2015, but investors yawned—likely due to the high EBITDA multiple (20.2x).

Which sector outperformed in Paris?

Tech (STMicroelectronics +5%) and luxury (LVMH/Kering +2%) led the charge, while beauty stocks (Coty, L’Oréal) lagged.