Camaieu, CNP, Eiffage, Lafarge, Wendel: French Equity Preview

By Gregory Viscusi and Adam Haigh

Nov. 7 (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 230.86, or 6.4 percent, to 3,387.25, the steepest one-day drop since Oct. 15, as all 40 stocks declined. The SBF 120 Index also lost 6.4 percent.

Alstom SA (ALO FP): The world's third-largest power plant builder was downgraded to ``neutral'' from ``buy'' at UBS AG, which said the ``sector's clients face tougher lending conditions and falling commodity prices.'' Alstom dropped 2.43 euros, or 6 percent, to 38.125.

Camaieu SA (AMA FP): The women's clothing retailer said Management Board Chairman Richard Maurice has quit the company. It didn't give a reason for his departure. The shares lost 4 euros, or 2.4 percent, to 160.

CGGVeritas (GA FP): The world's largest seismic surveyor said third-quarter profit rose 73 percent on higher prices earned from offshore oil exploration. The shares fell 1.44 euros, or 11 percent, to 12.12.

CNP Assurances SA (CNP FP): France's biggest life insurer said third-quarter revenue declined 17 percent on lower premiums in its domestic market. The shares retreated 1 euro, or 1.7 percent, to 58.

Eiffage SA (FGR FP): France's third-largest construction company said revenue rose 6.9 percent to 3.39 billion euros ($4.31 billion) in the third quarter as it built more houses in Europe. The shares fell 1.55 euros, or 5 percent, to 29.70.

Hi-Media SA (HIM FP): Europe's third-biggest online advertising broker reported a 39 percent rise in third-quarter revenue to 33.2 million euros and cut its full-year sales and operating profit forecasts, citing deteriorating online ad markets. The shares slid 25 cents, or 10 percent, to 2.19 euros.

Lafarge SA (LG FP): The world's biggest cement producer abandoned targets for 2010 earnings and said it will cap investment next year to preserve cash as demand for cement and aggregates slows in the U.S. and Europe. The shares declined 6.17 euros, or 11 percent, to 47.89.

Sodexo (SW FP): The world's second-biggest catering company said full-year profit rose 8.4 percent after it added contracts with schools and hospitals and sold more service vouchers in Europe. The shares fell 3.54 euros, or 9 percent, to 35.69.

Wendel (MF FP): Europe's second-largest publicly traded private equity firm said third-quarter revenue rose 18 percent to 1.37 billion euros and forecast a ``more difficult'' business environment for 2009. The shares lost 4.71 euros, or 11 percent, to 39.44.

To contact the reporters on this story: Gregory Viscusi in Paris at gviscusi@bloomberg.net; Adam Haigh in London at ahaigh1@bloomberg.net