2025.10.2208:20:39UTC+00CAC 40 Edges Lower as Hermès and L’Oréal Drag

The CAC 40 index fell by 0.5% to dip below the 8,220 mark on Wednesday, pulling back from the record-breaking levels achieved in the prior session. This downturn was primarily influenced by significant declines in the stocks of Hermès and L’Oréal. L’Oréal saw its shares plunge by approximately 5.6% due to third-quarter 2025 sales totaling €10.3 billion, which failed to meet market forecasts. This shortfall was attributed to underperformance in North American markets, uncertainties about upcoming quarters, and apprehensions regarding slower growth in China. Similarly, Hermès experienced a 4.0% decrease in its share value as their Q3 sales climbed 9.6% year-on-year to about €3.88 billion, which fell slightly short of market expectations, impacted by weaker-than-anticipated results in their leather goods and saddlery division. In a political development, President Emmanuel Macron hinted at the possibility of a nationwide referendum to address the pension reform issue, following Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's decision to halt the bill.