Paris  - With economic news growing more gloomy and Wall Street in a downward spiral, the Paris Bourse finished Thursday's session at its lowest level in nearly six years.

The benchmark CAC 40 ended the day down 1.24 per cent, at 2,869.62 points, its lowest level since May 2003, as declining stocks outpaced risers by 3 to 1.

Automobile shares led the losers, with the two largest French car makers, Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroen, both off by more than 7 per cent, at 14.24 euros and 11.99 euros, respectively.

They were followed by tyre manufacturer Michelin, down 4.62 per cent, to 32.40 euros.

Banking shares topped the day's winners, with Societe Generale gaining 6.72 per cent, to finish at 29.00 euros, following Wednesday's surprise announcement that the French bank would finish 2008 with a profit of about 2 billion euros. (dpa)