CAC 40 Edges Lower as Danone Slumps on Downgrade to 'Underperform'

The CAC 40 index closed marginally lower on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, as investor sentiment weakened following a ratings downgrade for Danone SA. The French food giant’s stock plunged 7.3% after Credit Suisse downgraded its rating to “underperform” from “outperform,” citing concerns over slowing growth in key markets and margin pressures. Danone (DN) fell to €58.42, erasing gains from earlier in the session. The move weighed on the broader European benchmark, with consumer staples and healthcare sectors underperforming. Meanwhile, the CAC 40 ended the day at 7,419.23, down 0.21%, or 15.5 points, amid cautious trading ahead of U.S. inflation data due Thursday.