French Stocks: Alstom, Arcelor, STMicroelectronics, Thomson

By Adria Cimino

July 7 (Bloomberg) -- France's CAC 40 Index advanced 44.74, or 1.1 percent, to 4,310.74 at 9:16 a.m. in Paris, after falling 3 percent last week. The SBF 120 Index also gained 1.1 percent.

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

Alstom SA (ALO FP) added 1.57 euros, or 2.1 percent, to 75.74, extending last week's 1.4 percent increase. The world's largest train maker is seeking acquisitions in Russia as the country's rail monopoly pursues its biggest modernization since the Soviet era.

ArcelorMittal (MTP FP) gained 93 cents, or 1.7 percent, to 54.51, rebounding from five days of losses. The world's biggest steelmaker said it bought back 5.31 million shares for 297.8 million euros ($465 million).

Electricite de France SA (EDF FP) rose 75 cents, or 1.3 percent, to 58.84 euros, climbing for a second day. The operator of 58 nuclear reactors in France will pursue projects in South Africa, China, the U.K. and the U.S., Chief Executive Officer Pierre Gadonneix said.

STMicroelectronics NV (STM FP) climbed 12 cents, or 2 percent, to 6.58, rebounding from a 4 percent drop last week. Royal Bank of Scotland raised its recommendation on shares of Europe's biggest chipmaker to ``hold'' from ``sell,'' as the stock trades below the analysts' share-price estimate of 6.80 euros.

Thomson SA (TMS FP) added 8 cents, or 2.9 percent, to 2.85 euros after the shares plunged 20 percent last week. The world's largest supplier of television set-top boxes said it won an order for digital-to-analog adapters from Comcast, a cable provider.

To contact the reporter on this story: Adria Cimino in Paris at acimino1@bloomberg.net.