On Tuesday, the CAC 40 index plummeted 1.33%, closing at 7,789.21—a nadir not seen since February, as political uncertainties loomed after President Macron’s unexpected request for an early legislative vote. This move by Macron comes as a reaction to the far-right’s advance in the European Parliament elections. While Macron’s presidential role and his control over foreign policy and defense remain unaltered, the legislative election’s results and the naming of a new Prime Minister may hinder his legislative endeavors. The prospect of Macron’s resignation, should his party suffer in the upcoming elections, adds to the financial anxieties in France.
Amid these concerns, credit rating agencies have warned that political volatility, compounded by the possibility of the National Rally party’s triumph, could obstruct France’s attempts to curtail its substantial public debt. This apprehension has contributed to the drop of the yield on France’s 10-year OAT bond to its lowest in seven months. With anticipation building over the forthcoming US CPI data and the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement, traders have adopted a warier approach. Reflecting the bond market’s downturn, major banks endured sharp losses; Société Générale, BNP Paribas, and Crédit Agricole saw their share prices tumble by 5.1%, 4.1%, and 3.9%, respectively. Similarly, Unibail Rodamco Westfield witnessed a decline of 4.3%, underscoring the market’s sensitivity to credit risks.
(CAC 40 Index Monthly Chart)
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