Trading hours
The Paris share session runs 08:00 to 16:30 UK; CAC 40 futures and most FRA40 CFDs typically trade 07:00 to 21:00 UK, Monday to Friday.
| When | UK time | New York time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily futures open | 07:00 | 02:00 ET | Euronext CAC 40 futures open at 08:00 Paris time. Most CFDs open at the same time. |
| Paris share session | 08:00 to 16:30 | 03:00 to 11:30 ET | 09:00 to 17:30 Paris time. Orders build from 06:15 UK before the opening auction. |
| Closing auction | 16:30 to about 16:35 | 11:30 to 11:35 ET | Sets the official closing level of the CAC 40. |
| Daily futures close | 21:00 | 16:00 ET | 22:00 Paris time. CFDs typically close at the same time, give or take a minute. |
| Friday close | 21:00 | 16:00 ET | No weekend trading. Some brokers stop a few minutes earlier on Friday. |
| Busiest hours | 08:00 to 10:00, and 13:30 to 15:30 | 03:00 to 05:00 and 08:30 to 10:30 ET | Typically the Paris open, then US data and the US open. |
France, Germany, Spain and the UK change their clocks on the same days (the last Sunday of March and the last Sunday of October), so European exchange times are always one hour ahead of UK time and the UK times on this page stay the same all year. New York changes on different dates (in 2026 the US changed on 1 November, the UK on 25 October; in 2027 the US changes on 14 March and the UK on 28 March). In those gap weeks US data lands an hour earlier in UK time, and a broker whose server clock follows New York can show this market opening an hour earlier or later on your platform even though the market itself has not moved. New York times in the tables are for when New York is 5 hours behind London.
What is CAC 40 (FRA40)?
The CAC 40 tracks 40 of the largest companies on Euronext Paris, weighted by the value of their shares available to trade. It is run by Euronext. Luxury goods, energy, banks, aerospace and consumer brands carry a large share of the index, so global demand matters as much as the French economy.
The official index level comes from the Paris share session. Outside those hours, FRA40 at your broker follows CAC 40 futures on Euronext, which trade from 08:00 to 22:00 Paris time.
The trading sessions
Futures trade before the shares open; moves often follow Asian markets and US futures.
The main session. The first hour after 08:00 UK is typically the most active.
US data at 13:30 UK and the US open at 14:30 UK often move European indices.
After the Paris close the market tends to follow US indices, with thinner trade.
Contract facts
One point is a move of 1.0 in the index level (for example from 8,000.0 to 8,001.0).
Lot sizes differ between brokers. A common setup is 1 lot worth 1 euro per point; some brokers use 10 euros per point. Check the contract specification in your platform.
On a CFD where 1 lot is worth 1 euro per point, a 10 point move on 1 lot is worth 10 euros. On one Euronext CAC 40 futures contract a 1 point move is worth 10 euros.
CAC 40 index futures (FCE) on Euronext: 10 euros per index point, minimum move 0.5 point (5 euros), trading 08:00 to 22:00 Paris time.
How far it usually moves
Varies with conditions; check the Average daily range indicator on WickSpeak for the current figure. We do not publish a fixed number because we could not verify one from an official source.
What moves CAC 40 (FRA40)
European Central Bank rate decisions and guidance move borrowing costs for every CAC 40 company.
Luxury groups are a large weight, so news on Chinese and US consumer spending often moves the index.
Budget disputes, elections and government stability can push French bond yields and the index.
PMI surveys and inflation for France and the euro area shape growth and rate expectations.
US data and the US open often carry into European indices in the afternoon.
Earnings from the biggest members, such as luxury, energy and aerospace, can move the whole index.
Scheduled events to watch
Eight meetings a year; rate changes and guidance move euro area shares and the euro.
Sets the tone for ECB rate expectations.
The first read on business activity each month.
French price data feeds into the euro area figure released later.
Hotter or cooler inflation changes what traders expect from US interest rates, which moves every risk market.
Eight scheduled meetings a year; the decision and the tone of the press conference reset US rate expectations.
What it tends to move with
Usually moves in the same direction through the day; French firms are a large part of the Euro Stoxx 50.
European indices tend to move together on big risk days; the CAC 40 is more sensitive to luxury news.
The CAC 40 often follows US futures after 13:30 UK.
Tips for trading CAC 40 (FRA40)
Mark the early range
Mark the futures range from 07:00 to 08:00 UK. A 5 minute close outside it after 08:00 is a breakout idea; a close back inside the range proves it wrong.
Use the previous close
Watch the previous day's 16:30 UK close. A rejection there is a reversal idea; a 15 minute close through it proves it wrong.
Mind luxury news
When a big luxury group reports, the index can gap at 08:00 UK. Wait for the first 15 minute candle to close before acting.
ECB days
Expect quieter trade before 13:15 UK and wider spreads at the release. A break of the morning range that reverses within two 5 minute candles proves the breakout wrong.
Connect a cTrader account once and FRA40 appears on WickSpeak at your broker's own prices. Key levels show the previous day high and low, pivots, the open and average daily range levels with their distance in points. Every indicator writes a plain-English reading on the live candle, including what would prove it wrong, and a Playbook play can alert you, draw a trade plan, paper trade or, only on a play where you switched live trading on, place a trade inside the guardrails you set.
Related markets
Sources: live.euronext.com, live.euronext.com, pepperstone.com, ecb.europa.eu. Checked 2026-11-05. Broker hours follow your broker's server clock and can differ.
Questions traders ask
What time does the CAC 40 open in the UK?
The Paris share session opens at 08:00 UK (09:00 Paris). CAC 40 futures and most FRA40 CFDs start at 07:00 UK. These UK times stay the same all year because France and the UK change clocks together.
What time does the CAC 40 close in the UK?
The share session ends at 16:30 UK, with a closing auction that sets the official level at about 16:35 UK. Futures and most CFDs keep trading until 21:00 UK.
Is FRA40 the same as the CAC 40?
FRA40 (also FR40 or F40) is a broker's name for a CFD that follows the CAC 40. Outside the Paris share session it follows CAC 40 futures on Euronext.
How much is a CAC 40 futures point worth?
One Euronext CAC 40 futures contract is worth 10 euros per index point, with a minimum move of half a point. CFD lot sizes are set by your broker, so check its contract specification.
What is the best time to trade FRA40?
Typically 08:00 to 10:00 UK after the Paris open, and 13:30 to 15:30 UK when US data and the US open arrive. Moves are usually small before 08:00 UK.