French Stocks: Arcelor, STMicroelectronics, Theolia, Total

By Adria Cimino

Aug. 20 (Bloomberg) -- France's CAC 40 Index added 18.30, or 0.4 percent, to 4,351.09 at 12:41 p.m. in Paris, advancing for the first day this week. The SBF 120 Index increased 0.4 percent.

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

ArcelorMittal (MTP FP) gained 1.80 euros, or 3.6 percent, to 52.05, rising the most in three weeks. The world's biggest steelmaker agreed to buy London Mining Plc's Brazilian iron-ore unit for about $810 million to increase its self sufficiency in the steelmaking ingredient.

``This allows the company to have its hands on supply,'' said Matthieu Bordeaux-Groult, a fund manager at Richelieu Finance in Paris, which oversees $6.2 billion. ``It's a strategy that's paying off.''

STMicroelectronics NV (STM FP) advanced 12 cents, or 1.6 percent, to 8.23 euros, gaining for the first time this week. Ericsson AB, the world's largest maker of wireless networks, and STMicroelectronics, Europe's largest chipmaker, agreed to set up a joint venture for wireless applications that will employ almost 8,000 people.

Theolia SA (TEO FP) slid 82 cents, or 5.3 percent, to 14.61 euros, falling for a second day. The wind-power company plans a partial withdrawal from building wind power construction plants for sale to third parties, and will instead sell the electricity itself, Les Echos said, citing the chief executive.

Vallourec SA (VK FP), the world's second-largest supplier of seamless pipes for energy extraction, jumped 6.82 euros, or 3.9 percent, to 183.15, the biggest gain in two weeks. Total SA (FP FP), Europe's biggest oil refiner, climbed 1.09 euros, or 2.3 percent, to 48.91, rising for a second time this week.

Crude oil rose for a second day as a weakening dollar prompted investors to buy commodities as an inflation hedge. The contract for September delivery gained as much as 0.7 percent to $115.36 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

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