Created in March 2021, the CAC40 ESG index was designed as the sustainable alternative to the traditional CAC 40. Its objective is to highlight the largest French companies most committed to sustainable development. But what exactly does this index consist of? Which companies are part of it? How does it differ from the classic CAC 40? And most importantly, why and how should investors consider it when guiding their investments on the stock market? Our answers in this article.
CAC40 ESG: a responsible version of the CAC 40
What is the CAC40 ESG? Simply put, it is the ESG version of the traditional CAC40. So what sets it apart from its classic counterpart? It integrates Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into the investment portfolio you can hold. It was created in response to evolving societal expectations. More and more of us want to build a more sustainable and responsible future. We therefore expect companies, especially large groups, to take responsibility and play their part. The CAC40 ESG is positioned as an index that aims to meet these expectations.
Origins of the CAC40 ESG: responding to sustainable investment demand
The CAC 40, short for “Cotation Assistée en Continu,” has been Paris’s flagship index since 1987. It groups the 40 largest French market capitalizations, the biggest listed companies. For equity investors, it represents a reliable and solid benchmark in financial markets.
But with the rise of sustainable finance, Euronext deemed it necessary to create a version adapted to current expectations: the CAC40 ESG.
Euronext, let’s recall, is the leading European stock exchange, born in 2000 from the merger of the Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels exchanges. It provides investors with access to a wide range of financial products: equities, bonds, ETFs, and derivatives. For companies, it facilitates financing through IPOs. It also manages major benchmark indices such as the CAC 40, the AEX, and now the CAC40 ESG.
Launched in March 2021, the CAC40 ESG is defined by the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) as an index “composed of 40 securities selected according to environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, among the companies included in the CAC 40 and CAC Next 20.”
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Strictly selected CAC40 ESG companies
Companies included in the CAC40 ESG are rigorously selected by the rating agency V.E (Vigeo Eiris, a Moody’s subsidiary). They are assessed on around 40 ESG criteria, including:
- Environmental: carbon footprint, energy transition, waste management, green innovation.
- Social: working conditions, diversity, social dialogue, consumer protection, inclusion.
- Governance: transparency, board independence, anti-corruption policies.
In addition, an exclusion system automatically eliminates activities considered incompatible with responsible investment (tobacco, coal, controversial weapons, etc.). The benefit? These criteria ensure that investors gain exposure to a portfolio of stocks aligned with today’s sustainability expectations, as well as with their own values.
Why invest in the CAC40 ESG?
If you’re considering investing in a selection of CAC40 ESG stocks, here are the main reasons why it could be a wise decision.
Aligning investments with personal values
Choosing the CAC40 ESG means investing in companies that place social and environmental responsibility at the core of their strategy. For investors, it’s a way to align their portfolios with their convictions.
Exposure to market leaders
Like the classic CAC 40, the ESG index includes France’s leading economic players. Investors therefore benefit from strong mid- to long-term return potential. At the same time, they reduce risk by diversifying across high-potential sectors.
Moreover, social or environmental scandals involving certain companies can be very costly for investors. Betting on the CAC40 ESG helps protect against reputational shocks and sudden declines in portfolio value.
Constraints and risks to be aware of
As with any investment, here are the main limitations of the CAC40 ESG:
- It includes fewer companies than a globalized portfolio: by nature, it remains focused on large French corporations.
- Regular reassessments of companies’ ESG practices may quickly lead to inclusions or exclusions if standards decline.
How to invest in the CAC40 ESG?
Investors can access the CAC40 ESG via their equity savings plan (PEA) or brokerage account by choosing an ETF or fund that replicates it. Online trading platforms provide real-time quotes, stock lists, and volumes.
The simplest way to invest is through an ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) replicating the index. BNP Paribas Asset Management launched the first in September 2021, followed by Amundi in early 2022.
In addition, some SRI-labeled funds now use the CAC40 ESG as a reference benchmark.
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CAC40 vs CAC40 ESG: what’s different for investors?
A common philosophy, but different selection
The traditional CAC 40 prioritizes market capitalization and stock liquidity. The CAC40 ESG adds a qualitative dimension: only companies meeting ESG standards can be included. This approach offers investors confidence within a more demanding regulatory framework than standard indices.
Better long-term performance?
In the short term, the CAC40 and CAC40 ESG curves track closely, since many companies overlap. But in the medium and long term, differences appear, often favoring the ESG index. Why?
- Greater resilience: companies best prepared for environmental and social challenges tend to weather crises better.
- Reduced regulatory risk: compliance with ESG standards limits exposure to fines, lawsuits, or boycotts.
- Strong growth potential: green innovation, sustainable mobility, and energy efficiency are promising sectors over the long run.
Thus, the CAC40 ESG represents an excellent alternative for investors aiming to combine financial performance with environmental responsibility.
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Which companies are in the CAC40 ESG?
The index composition is reviewed quarterly by Euronext’s scientific committee. Adjustments consider not only financial performance but also ESG practices.
Examples?
At launch, some emblematic CAC 40 companies were excluded from the CAC40 ESG. This was the case for TotalEnergies and Thales, considered non-compliant with ESG standards: the first due to its fossil fuel core business, the second due to its main activity in defense.
On the other hand, groups like EDF, Arkema, Valeo, or Bureau Veritas, coming from the CAC Next 20, were included thanks to their strong ESG policies.
This illustrates a reality: membership in the CAC40 ESG depends directly on companies’ ESG practices.
Profitability and outlook for the CAC40 ESG
Good news: since its launch, the CAC40 ESG has shown performances close to those of the CAC 40, with greater resilience during stock market corrections.
As for the future, its outlook is highly promising. Proof lies in three major trends:
- Stricter regulation: European taxonomy and the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) will push companies to become increasingly virtuous.
- Growing investor demand: new generations of savers prioritize sustainable and responsible investments.
- Energy and ecological transition: electricity, sustainable mobility, hydrogen, and recycling are key growth drivers for French and European companies.
The CAC40 ESG illustrates a new way of investing: pursuing performance while accounting for social and environmental responsibility. For investors, it offers a serious alternative to the classic CAC40, with more diversification, resilience, and alignment with future challenges. But beware: like any equity investment, it remains subject to market fluctuations.
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