French Stocks: Business & Decision, Gemalto, Lafarge, Stedim

By Adria Cimino

Aug. 21 (Bloomberg) -- France's CAC 40 Index lost 51.46, or 1.2 percent, to 4,314.41 at 12:36 p.m. in Paris, retreating for a third time this week. The SBF 120 Index slipped 1.1 percent.

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

Business & Decision Group (BND FP) plunged 2.45 euros, or 31 percent, to 5.52, a record decline. The consulting group said operating profit is below analyst forecasts, at between 2 percent and 2.5 percent of revenue for the first half.

Gemalto NV (GTO FP) jumped 2.51 euros, or 10 percent, to 27.30, the most since July 2006. The world's largest smartcard maker said first-half earnings more than doubled on cost cuts, higher sales of mobile-phone cards and as the banking-card business returned to profit. Adjusted profit rose to 63.3 million euros ($93.6 million) from 24.5 million euros a year earlier.

The company raised its target for full-year operating income to around 160 million euros.

Lafarge SA (LG FP), the world's biggest cement producer, tumbled 2.26 euros, or 2.8 percent, to 78.09, dropping for a fourth day. Cie. de Saint-Gobain SA (SGO FP), Europe's biggest supplier of building materials, sank 76 cents, or 1.9 percent, to 39.41, slipping for a fourth day. Holcim Ltd., the second- largest cement maker, lowered its full-year earnings target after second-quarter profit dropped on slowing U.S. construction and rising raw-material costs.

Sartorius Stedim Biotech SA (DIM FP) increased 2.79 euros, or 12 percent, to 25.29, for the biggest gain since October 2002. Societe Generale raised its recommendation on shares of the plastic bag maker owned by Sartorius AG to ``buy'' from ``hold,'' citing valuation and earnings prospects.

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