CAC 40 Rises As Yellen Downplays Inflation Concerns BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - French stocks advanced on Wednesday after data showed growth of the euro zone private sector economy improved during April. Sentiment was also underpinned after U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen downplayed earlier comments that rate hikes may be needed to stop the economy overheating. 'It may be that interest rates will have to rise somewhat to make sure that our economy doesn't overheat, even though the additional spending is relatively small relative to the size of the economy,' Yellen said in taped remarks to a virtual event put on by The Atlantic.