CAC 40

The CAC 40 is a benchmark French stock market index which
represents a capitalization-weighted measure of the 40 most significant
values among the 100 highest market caps on the Euro-next Paris Bursae.

Basic facts about the CAC 40 :

The CAC 40 Index was named after the automated system of the Stock Exchange in Paris – Cotation Assistée en Continu.
A Base value of 1,000 was determined on the 31th December 1987.
Although the CAC 40 consists of French companies, 45% of the shares are owned by foreign investors.German investors hold a majority of 21% of the shares.
The explanation lies in the fact that many of these companies handle their business outside of France (63% of the employees employed by CAC 40 companies are stationed outside of France).