French defence stocks rise on Macron's plans to accelerate arms spending

** Shares in French defence companies rise after President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Sunday to meet the goal of doubling 2017 defence spending levels by 2027, three years ahead of the original 2030 target

** Macron said the plan involves a 3.5 billion euro ($4.09 billion) boost to the 2026 defence budget and additional 3 billion euros in 2027

** Thales HO rises 0.9%; Dassault Aviation AM gains 1.9%, among the best performers on France's SBF 120 index PX4

** Jefferies says Thales and Dassault Aviation are "key potential winners" from the plan, seeing them as positioned to benefit from increased spending on ammunition, drones and space capabilities

** Thales generates 22% of its sales from the French defence, while Dassault Aviation does 32%, Jefferies says

** Shares in mid-cap French defence companies Parrot PARRO, Exail Technologies EXA and Exosens EXENS rise 1.5%-5%; Jefferies says the increased spending should also benefit other sector players

($1 = 0.8557 euros)