CAC 40

Air Liquide is the world's leading supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases and related services. Founded in Paris in 1902, it operates in 72 countries serving industries including steel, chemicals, electronics, healthcare and food processing. It is also a pioneer in hydrogen energy, positioning itself as a key partner in the energy transition through green hydrogen production and distribution infrastructure.

AXA is one of the world's largest insurance and asset management groups, headquartered in Paris. Founded in 1816, it serves 93 million clients in more than 50 countries, offering life insurance, property and casualty insurance, health insurance and investment management. Its AXA Investment Managers division manages over one trillion euros in assets, making it a major institutional investor globally.

AXA is a French multinational insurance corporation headquartered in Paris. In addition to insurance, it provides investment management and other financial services through its subsidiaries. The AXA Group operates primarily in Western Europe, North America, South America and the Asia-Pacific region, with a presence in Africa. It is one of the largest insurance companies in the world by revenue.

BNP Paribas is the largest bank in the eurozone by assets and one of the largest in the world. Formed in 2000 from the merger of BNP and Paribas, it is headquartered in Paris and operates in 65 countries. Its main business pillars are retail banking in France, Italy and Belgium; corporate and institutional banking; investment services; and international financial services across Africa and Asia.

The CAC 40 is France's benchmark stock market index, representing the 40 largest companies by market capitalisation listed on Euronext Paris. Created in 1987, it includes global leaders such as LVMH, TotalEnergies, Sanofi, L'Oréal and AXA. The CAC 40 is a free-float weighted index and one of the main indicators of the health of the French economy.

Hermès International is a French luxury goods manufacturer founded in 1837 as a harness workshop. Today it is best known for its Birkin and Kelly handbags, silk scarves, equestrian accessories and Hermès perfumes. Strictly controlling production quality and distribution, it is the luxury industry's benchmark for scarcity-driven desirability. The Hermès family retains a controlling stake and the group has never cut its dividend.

L'Oréal is the world's largest cosmetics company, with a portfolio of over 30 international brands including L'Oréal Paris, Lancôme, Maybelline, Garnier, Kérastase and Giorgio Armani Beauty. Founded in 1909 by Eugène Schueller in Paris, it generates annual revenues of around 40 billion euros and sells products across mass market, professional, luxury and active cosmetics divisions in 150 countries.

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is the world's largest luxury goods conglomerate, controlling 75 Maisons spanning fashion and leather goods (Louis Vuitton, Dior, Givenchy), wines and spirits (Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Hennessy), perfumes and cosmetics (Guerlain, Parfums Christian Dior), watches and jewellery (TAG Heuer, Bulgari, Tiffany) and selective retailing (Sephora, Le Bon Marché). Controlled by Bernard Arnault.

Sanofi is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, headquartered in Paris. Its portfolio spans vaccines (Fluzone, Beyfortus), immunology (Dupixent — the world's biggest drug by 2024 sales), rare diseases and general medicines. Founded from successive mergers culminating in the 2004 Sanofi-Aventis combination, it has focused its R&D increasingly on immunology and oncology.

TotalEnergies is one of the world's seven "supermajor" oil companies, headquartered in Paris. Rebranded in 2021 to reflect its diversification into electricity and renewable energy, it operates across the full energy chain: oil and gas exploration, refining and marketing, natural gas and power, renewables (solar, wind) and electric vehicle charging. It is among the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) traders.

Vinci is a French industrial group specialising in construction, civil engineering, transport infrastructure, roads, motorways, railways, car parks, and energy infrastructure. It is also one of the world's largest concession operators. The Vinci Group employs around 280,000 people (2024) in more than 120 countries.