French Stocks: Alcatel-Lucent, Eiffage, JCDecaux, Natixis

By Maud van Gaal

Sept. 23 (Bloomberg) -- France’s CAC 40 Index rose 4.03, or 0.1 percent, to 3,827.55 at noon in Paris, a second day of gains. The SBF 120 Index also added 0.1 percent.

The following stocks rose or fell in the French market. Symbols are in parentheses after company names.

Alcatel-Lucent SA (ALU FP) rose 12 cents, or 4.2 percent, to 3.13 euros, which would be the highest closing level in a year. The world’s largest supplier of fixed-line phone networks indicated to analysts that it may report better-than-expected operating profit for the third quarter, Wansquare reported on its Internet site.

Eiffage SA (FGR FP) dropped 73 cents, or 1.6 percent, to 45.25 euros, a fourth decline in five days. France’s third- biggest construction company was cut to “underperform” from “in-line” at Cazenove.

Ipsen SA (IPN FP) fell 84 cents, or 2.2 percent, to 38.10 euros, breaking a nine-day winning streak. Societe Generale cut its recommendation on shares of the French family-controlled drugmaker to “hold” from “buy.”

JCDecaux SA (DEC FP) slipped 23 cents, or 1.5 percent, to 15.65 euros, reversing yesterday’s 1.3 percent increase. The world’s second-largest outdoor-advertising company had its long- and short-term corporate credit ratings cut one level by Standard & Poor’s, which cited a lack of improvement in trading conditions.

Natixis SA (KN FP) rose 7 cents, or 2 percent, to 4.01 euros, on course for a close at the highest level in more than a year. The French investment bank will post a profit for the third quarter, La Tribune reported, citing comments made by Chief Executive Officer Laurent Mignon to analysts.

Poweo SA (ALPWO FP) dropped 65 cents, or 2.9 percent, to 22 euros, paring three days of advances. The French power utility said its second-half operating loss will exceed the 9.3 million euros recorded for the first half.

Natixis Securities cut its recommendation on the shares to “reduce” from “add.”

Trigano SA (TRI FP) rose 39 cents, or 2.9 percent, to 14.14 euros, rising for a ninth straight day. The French maker of motor caravans and mobile homes was raised to “neutral” from “underperform” at Exane BNP Paribas.

To contact the reporter on this story: Maud van Gaal in Amsterdam at mvangaal@bloomberg.net