Alstom, Credit Agricole, Lafuma, Octo: French Stocks Preview

By Heather Smith

July 16 (Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies whose stocks may have unusual changes in Paris. Symbols are in parentheses after company names and prices are from the last close.

France's CAC 40 Index retreated 81.38, or 2 percent, to 4,061.15 in Paris, its lowest level since 2005. The SBF 120 Index slid 2.1 percent.

Air Liquide SA (AI FP): The world's largest maker of industrial gases bought Pure Helium to expand in the Middle East and said it plans to invest $1 billion in the Persian Gulf region over the next five years. The shares rose 6 cents to 81.22 euros.

Alstom SA (ALO FP): The world's third-largest power-plant builder reports first-quarter sales before the market opens in Paris. The company may say revenue rose 13 percent to 4.57 billion euros, according to the median of seven analyst estimates, on a record backlog of power and train orders. The shares gained 3 cents to 66.10 euros.

Auplata SA (ALAUP FP): The gold mining company said first- half revenue dropped 47 percent to 4.2 million euros, as output fell to 226 kilograms from 502 kilograms a year earlier. The company plans to save 4 million euros a year by cutting jobs. The shares added 28 cents, or 8.7 percent, to 3.39 euros.

Credit Agricole SA (ACA FP): France's third-biggest bank by market value said its board backs Chief Executive Officer Georges Pauget, following record losses tied to U.S. subprime mortgages. The shares fell 46 cents, or 3.9 percent, to 11.40 euros.

Dane-Elec Memory SA (DAN FP): The distributor of computer memory devices said second-quarter revenue fell 32 percent to 36.2 million euros. The company said it expects to meet its announced full-year targets. The shares dropped 1 cent, or 1.3 percent, to 77 cents.

Guyenne & Gascogne SA (GG FP): The owner of Carrefour franchise supermarkets in southwest France said first-half revenue rose 5.5 percent to 268.8 million euros. The company said it faces ``hesitant consumption'' and a ``highly competitive environment.'' The shares rose 1.75 euros, or 2.4 percent, to 74.80 euros.

Lafuma SA (LAF FP): The owner of the Millet mountaineering clothing brand reported nine-month revenue of 170.3 million euros, unchanged from year-earlier levels. The company said it expects to report a ``small increase'' in full-year sales. The shares fell 1.34 euros, or 4.7 percent, to 27.16 euros.

Oberthur Technologies (OCS FP): Europe's third-largest maker of smartcards won a contract to supply electronic passports to the Philippines. It didn't give financial details. The shares declined 13 cents, or 3 percent, to 4.15 euros.

Octo Technology SA (ALOCT FP): The computer consulting services provider said first-half revenue rose 32 percent to 6.46 million euros. The shares dropped 49 cents, or 11 percent, to 4.01 euros.

To contact the reporter on this story: Heather Smith in Paris at hsmith26@bloomberg.net.