PARIS, May 24 (Xinhua) -- French shares lost on Thursday, with the benchmark Paris CAC 40 down 0.31 percent, or 17.40 points, to close at 5,548.45 points.

A total of 27 of the 40 selected large companies lost in the day.

French banking company Credit Agricole tumbled 2.37 percent, the top loser of the blue chips. The international telecommunication company Bouygues was down 2.11 percent, and French automotive supplier Valeo edged down 2.08 percent.

STMicroelectronics, a French-Italian multinational electronics and semiconductor manufacturer advanced 1.69 percent, the top gainer of the day. French luxury goods holding company Kering gained 1.48 percent, and French multinational food-products corporation Danone was up 1.23 percent. Enditem