French Stocks: Carrefour, Danone, GDF Suez, Sodexo, Thales

http://www.fxfxfx.com 2010-02-20 23:25:36

France’s CAC 40 Index advanced 21.71, or 0.6 percent, to 3,769.54 in Paris, for a weekly gain of 4.7 percent. The SBF 120 Index increased 0.5 percent today.

The following shares rose or fell in Paris. Stock symbols are in parentheses.

Carrefour SA (CA FP) dropped 72 cents, or 2 percent, to 34.92 euros, after three days of gains. Europe’s largest retailer said profit unexpectedly slid 70 percent last year on impairment charges linked to closing stores in Italy and refurbishing outlets elsewhere in Europe. Net income from recurring operations fell to 385 million euros ($519 million), missing analyst estimates.

Groupe Danone SA (BN FP), the world’s biggest yogurt maker, advanced 74 cents, or 1.7 percent, to 43.74 euros, gaining for a fourth day. Nestle SA, the world’s biggest maker of coffee, bottled water and pet food said sales growth will accelerate this year.

GDF Suez SA (GSZ FP) climbed 37 cents, or 1.3 percent, to 27.56 euros, increasing for a fourth day. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its recommendation on shares of the owner of Europe’s largest natural-gas network to “overweight” from “neutral.”

Schneider Electric SA (SU FP) climbed 1.56 euros, or 2 percent, to 81.21 euros, gaining for a fifth day. Kepler raised its recommendation on shares of the world’s biggest maker of circuit breakers to “buy” from “reduce.”

Sodexo (SW FP), the world’s second-largest catering company, increased 1.29 euros, or 3.1 percent, to 42.66 for the biggest gain in six weeks. Cheuvreux added the shares to its “selected list,” an upgrade from “outperform.”

Thales SA (HO FP) plunged 4.09 euros, or 12 percent, to 29.62, for its biggest decline since April 2000. Europe’s second-biggest defense-electronics maker posted a net loss in 2009 of 128 million euros, compared with net income of 650 million euros in the previous year. The company said that it is reducing its dividend to 50 cents a share.

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