Dec 21 ,2023
Synopsis
European equity markets set to open lower amidst Asian equities trading with a negative tilt Thursday. Japan benchmarks erasing yesterday's gains and leading the region lower. US futures higher whilst US dollar slightly lower, notable strengthening in the yen and AUD. Treasury yields mostly higher although the 10Y is lower. Crude off overnight peaks on US inventory build. Precious and industrial metals lower.
On today's agenda, ECB's Lane panellist at 16:00GMT at workshop hosted by Ireland's central bank. Germany's Ministry of Finance latest monthly report. Turkey central bank interest rate decision and in Italian parliament there's budget law / confidence vote.
Macroeconomic releases expected today include: France Dec business confidence, Italy Nov PPI, UK Nov public sector borrowing requirement (PSBR), Dec distributive trades CBI, Norway Nov unemployment rate.
In corporate news, Sanofi (SAN.FP) announced end of Phase 3 program evaluating tusamitamab ravtansine after 2L NSCLC did not meet a primary endpoint. In management changes, Bankinter (BKT.SM) confirmed to propose Gloria Ortiz Portero as CEO to succeed María Dolores Dancausa Treviño. On M&A front, Banco Santander (SAN.SM) announced yesterday after the close it will acquire 20% equity stake in a joint venture to service Signature Bank's multifamily real estate assets. Euronext unlikely to make another offer for Allfunds Group (ALLFG.NA), Reuters reports. Elsewhere, EXEL Industries (EXE.FP) and Carr's Group (CARR.LN) are expected to update investors with their respective trading updates.
Politics/Macro/World News
Why Brussels fears 'survival mode' elections in 2024 - FT
Turkey expected to hike interest rates for seventh straight time - Bloomberg
Oil set to end winning streak over US stock build - Reuters
Argentina's Javier Milei unveils sweeping decree to deregulate the economy - FT
Sweden Democrats support continues to increase; Moderates have weakest support during Ulf Kristersson's time as party leader - DN/Ipsos barometer
Netherlands Nov Unemployment Rate 3.5% vs consensus 3.7% and prior 3.6%
Top company news
M&A
VOD.LN (Vodafone Group) -- Swisscom exploring offer for Vodafone's Italian business early next year - Bloomberg
SAN.SM (Banco Santander) -- to acquire 20% equity stake in a joint venture to service Signature Bank's multifamily real estate assets
BT.A.LN (BT Group) -- Rumour: Saudi Telecom may seek to buy into BT - London Times
CS.FP (AXA) -- France Vie has entered into a reinsurance agreement with Réassurance Vie France
RECT.BB (Recticel) -- to acquire REX PANELS & PROFILES from founder for EV of €70M
SWTQ.SW (Schweiter Technologies) -- acquires 60% stake in Jiangsu ZNL Coating New Materials
TXT.IM (TXT e-Solutions) -- agrees to acquire 51% of Arcan S.r.l. for an undisclosed sum
FUR.NA (Fugro) -- agrees to acquire two PSVs which will be used as geotechnical assets
Healthcare
CALTX.SS (Calliditas Therapeutics) -- announces FDA approval of TARPEYO in adults with primary IgAN at risk for disease progression
IPH.FP (Innate Pharma) -- files $200M ADS equity shelf - F-3
IVA.FP (Inventiva) -- announces randomization of first patient in NATiV3 Phase III clinical trial in China; lanifibranor granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation in NASH by China's NMPA
MITRA.BB (Mithra Pharmaceuticals) -- completes pediatric study of ESTELLE in adolescent patients; data expected in Q2 2024.
SAN.FP (Sanofi) -- announces end of Phase 3 program evaluating tusamitamab ravtansine after 2L NSCLC did not meet a primary endpoint
Other
PHIA.NA (Koninklijke Philips) -- FDA identifies Panorama MRI as a class I recall
BN.FP (Danone) -- releases its Climate Transition Plan, details roadmap to reach its 2030 1.5°C targets and achieve Net-Zero emissions by 2050
AC.FP (Accor) -- signs new €1B revolving banking credit facility; announces completion of share buyback program
DG.FP (VINCI SA) -- VINCI awarded commitment deed contract for 35-year major PPP contract of high voltage transmission lines in Australia
CBK.GR (Commerzbank) -- receives ECB approval for new share buyback program of up to €600M
BKT.SM (Bankinter) -- confirms proposes Gloria Ortiz Portero as CEO to succeed María Dolores Dancausa Treviño (post EU close 20-Dec)
CAST.SS (Castellum AB) -- Castellum's board proposes further dividend pause for 2023
PSM.GR (ProSiebenSat.1 Media) -- ProSiebenSat.1 major holder MFE growing impatient and sceptical over the company's revamp strategy - Reuters, citing source close to MFE
Key rating changes
Upgrades
SRT3.GR (Sartorius) -- to overweight from sector weight at KeyBanc
EZJ.LN (EasyJet) -- to outperform from neutral at Oddo
Downgrades
VACN.SW (VAT Group) -- to hold from buy at Berenberg
ADM.LN (Admiral Group) -- to hold from buy at Berenberg
ARGX.BB (argenx) -- to equal weight from overweight at Barclays
VER.AV (Verbund) -- to neutral from outperform at Oddo
Initiations
XVIVO.SS (Xvivo Perfusion) -- buy at DnB Markets
Data
Nikkei +1.37% to 33675.94
Hang Seng +0.66% to 16613.81
Shanghai Composite (1.03%) to 2902.11
S&P futures (68.5) vs prior close of 4820.3
€-$ (0.0042) or (0.38%) to 1.0939
$-¥ (0.16) or (0.11%) to 143.67
€-¥ (0.79) or (0.50%) to 157.15
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