To screen French stocks effectively, you need a screener that covers both Euronext Paris (main market) and Euronext Growth Paris (alternative market). France is the largest continental European equity market by number of listed companies — over 700 companies across both platforms, from CAC 40 mega-caps to €20M microcaps in sectors ranging from luxury goods to industrial software. Most global screeners cover the Euronext Paris main market but lack usable fundamental data for Euronext Growth listings.
Last updated: May 2026.
French equity market structure
France has two main equity platforms:
Euronext Paris — main market
Euronext Paris is the primary listing venue for French companies. It is divided into three market cap segments:
| Segment | Market cap | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Euronext Large Cap (≥€1B) | CAC 40, SBF 120 constituents | Highly liquid, full analyst coverage, institutional ownership |
| Euronext Mid Cap (€150M–€1B) | SBF 250 area | Good liquidity, partial analyst coverage, accessible to most investors |
| Euronext Small Cap (<€150M) | Wide range — €10M to €150M | Variable liquidity, limited coverage, significant inefficiency |
The exchange code for Euronext Paris in screeners is typically EPA or PAR.
Euronext Growth Paris — alternative market
Euronext Growth Paris is a lighter-touch alternative market for growing French companies. It is not a regulated market in the EU legal sense — it operates under less demanding listing requirements than the main Euronext Paris market.
Key characteristics of Euronext Growth Paris:
- ~250 companies listed (as of 2026)
- Market caps typically €10M–€300M
- Many are profitable — this is not a pre-revenue market
- Annual reports often in French only for smaller names
- Sponsored by a Listing Sponsor rather than requiring a full prospectus
- Exchange code: ALPAR or XPAR depending on the data provider
Euronext Growth Paris is where French industrial, technology, and healthcare companies in the €30M–€200M range list before (or instead of) joining the main Euronext Paris market.
What makes French stocks distinctive for screening
Sector composition: The CAC 40 is luxury-heavy (LVMH, Kering, Hermès), aerospace and defence (Airbus, Thales, Safran), and financial services (BNP Paribas, AXA, Société Générale). The Euronext Growth layer is dominated by tech services, industrial equipment, healthcare services, and business software — sectors that are underrepresented in most US investors' mental model of France.
Valuation characteristics: French large caps have historically traded at modest discounts to UK and US equivalents — partly due to CGT and dividend tax treatment, partly due to institutional investor allocation patterns. French small caps can trade at significant discounts, particularly in industrial niches where the company is unknown outside France.
Language consideration: Larger French companies file annual reports in both French and English. Companies below ~€100M on Euronext Growth Paris often file primary reports in French only — you will need to use Google Translate or sector knowledge to evaluate them.
Family ownership: Many French mid and small caps are family-controlled. This is a quality signal in many cases (long-term orientation, alignment with minority shareholders) but can also create minority shareholder risk if the family prioritises strategic goals over financial returns.
Fundamental filters for French stock screening
Screening the main Euronext Paris market
The Euronext Paris main market is well-covered by most screeners with reliable fundamental data. Standard screening criteria apply:
Value screen — Euronext Paris:
- Market cap: > €100M
- P/E: < 15
- EV/EBITDA: < 10
- ROE: > 8%
- Operating margin: > 0%
This typically returns 40–80 French companies across the SBF 250 range — a manageable starting list.
Quality screen — Euronext Paris:
- Market cap: > €200M
- ROE: > 15%
- Profit margin: > 8%
- Revenue growth (5Y): > 5%
- P/E: < 25
Returns French compounders — companies with strong returns on capital growing at above-average rates.
Screening Euronext Growth Paris
Euronext Growth requires a screener that actually has fundamental data for these listings — most global screeners list the companies but lack usable P/E, EV/EBITDA, or ROE data for the majority.
Euronext Growth value/quality screen:
- Exchange: Euronext Growth Paris
- Market cap: > €15M (liquidity floor for the platform)
- EV/EBITDA: < 10
- Operating margin: > 5%
- ROE: > 10%
Expect 30–60 results. A large proportion will be French tech services companies, healthcare services providers, and niche industrial businesses — the backbone of the French PME (small and medium enterprise) economy.
Key French sectors for fundamental screening
Industrial and business services
France has a strong B2B services sector — engineering consultancies, IT services, management consulting, HR services — many of which are listed on Euronext Growth. These companies often have:
- High ROE (20–35%) because they are capital-light
- Moderate P/E (15–25×) because growth is steady but not spectacular
- High operating margins (8–15%) from skilled professional services
Screening for French B2B services: ROE > 15%, operating margin > 8%, EV/EBITDA < 12.
Specialty pharmaceuticals and healthcare
France has a significant healthcare sector on Euronext, particularly medical devices, specialty pharmaceuticals, and clinical research organisations. Many are on Euronext Growth. Valuation multiples are higher (P/E 20–40× for growing specialty pharma) — standard value filters may exclude them. Screen on revenue growth and operating margin trends rather than headline P/E for this sector.
Precision industrials and automation
French precision manufacturers — automation systems, machine tools, sensors, industrial software — are abundant on Euronext Small Cap and Euronext Growth. These companies often have:
- EV/EBITDA of 6–12×
- EBIT margins of 8–15%
- ROE of 10–18%
- Significant international revenue (60–80% outside France)
This is the sector where French microcap screening is most productive for value investors.
Best screener for French stocks
To screen both Euronext Paris and Euronext Growth Paris with reliable fundamental data, the screener needs to cover both platforms — including the alternative market listings where most French microcap opportunities reside.
ScreenerHero covers Euronext Paris and Euronext Growth Paris with usable P/E, EV/EBITDA, ROE, and margin data for companies down to microcap level. You can filter French stocks specifically or combine French exchanges with other European markets in the same screen.
TradingView covers Euronext Paris main market well but has inconsistent fundamental data for Euronext Growth Paris listings. Stockopedia and TIKR both have French main market coverage but limited Euronext Growth data.
Practical notes for French equity investing
Dividend withholding tax: France applies a 12.8% withholding tax on dividends for EU investors (with PFU — flat tax regime). Non-EU investors face a 30% withholding tax rate, often reduced by bilateral tax treaties. Confirm your applicable rate before investing in high-dividend French companies.
Liquidity on Euronext Growth: Many Euronext Growth Paris companies trade €5,000–€50,000 per day. Build positions gradually over 2–4 weeks for names below €50M market cap. Target no more than 10% of average daily volume per day.
French fiscal year: Most French companies have December 31 fiscal year ends. Annual reports are typically released in March–April. Beware of stale fundamental data in screeners during January–March when trailing figures may be 15+ months old.
Reporting language: Companies below ~€100M on Euronext Growth Paris frequently file primary documents in French. English summaries are common for investor presentations but annual reports and quarterly updates may be French-only.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best stock screener for French stocks?
ScreenerHero is the best screener for French stocks in 2026. It covers both Euronext Paris (main market) and Euronext Growth Paris (alternative market) with reliable fundamental filters — P/E, EV/EBITDA, ROE, margins — for companies down to microcap level. Access is free without an account.
Does Euronext Growth Paris have good investment opportunities?
Yes. Euronext Growth Paris lists approximately 250 companies, many of which are profitable, growing French small caps in sectors like business services, industrial equipment, and healthcare. The market is relatively under-researched by international investors — annual reports are often only in French, and most global screeners have incomplete data for Euronext Growth listings.
How many companies are listed on Euronext Paris?
As of 2026, approximately 450+ companies are listed on the Euronext Paris main market (including large, mid, and small cap segments) and approximately 250 additional companies on Euronext Growth Paris.
What is the CAC 40?
The CAC 40 is the benchmark index for French stocks, comprising the 40 largest companies listed on Euronext Paris by free-float market capitalisation. It includes companies like LVMH, TotalEnergies, Sanofi, BNP Paribas, Airbus, and L'Oréal. For fundamental screening purposes, screening within the CAC 40 universe produces few value opportunities — most are priced for quality.
Can I screen French stocks without creating an account?
Yes. ScreenerHero's French stock screener works without account creation. Go to screenerhero.com/screener, select Euronext Paris or Euronext Growth Paris as the exchange, and apply your fundamental filters.
Screen French stocks now → — filter Euronext Paris and Euronext Growth Paris by P/E, EV/EBITDA, ROE, and margins. Free, no account required. Pro at €29/month.