Dec 27 ,2023
Synopsis:
European equity markets ended mostly higher in very quiet session. Norway +0.8%, Belgium and Austria +0.7%, Finland +0.6% led the outperformers whilst Switzerland (0.4%), Denmark and Portugal (0.1%) led the underperformers.
Attention on EU preparing up to €20B for Ukraine using debt structure that could sidestep Hungary veto of further financial aid (FT). Member states would issue guarantees to the EU budget, enabling EU Commission to borrow up to €20B on capital markets. Success is not certain, as some countries would need parliamentary approval.
In political developments, Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez announced on Wednesday a windfall tax extension for another year on both banks and energy companies. Also extends measures to freeze VAT on basic food goods however, tax cuts on energy bills will return to normal from April. In the UK, more speculation over potential UK tax cuts ahead of general election next year. Treasury said Budget to be held on 6-Mar.
No macro data of note in Europe. Industry numbers from UK showed footfall picked up on Boxing Day but visit to stores remained well below pre-Covid levels as many stores did not open. Christmas Eve sales numbers also impacted by Sunday trading. Elsewhere, German business group DIHK remains downbeat over prospects for German economy next year.
Focus also on gas prices raising. Bloomberg reported on a pickup in European gas prices, with futures in Dutch market up as much as 6% in early trade amid increase in Middle East tensions. Concerns over wider regional war related to Israel-Gaza conflict continue.
In corporate news, ADLER Group (ADJ.GR) shares traded notably higher as BaFin concluded examination of ADLER Real Estate's financial statements 2019 to 2021. Elsewhere, Nigeria's competition commission orders British American Tobacco (BATS.LN) to pay $110M fine following allegations of market dominance abuse and infringement of public health regulations. GenSight Biologics (SIGHT.FP) issued a business and financial update. Company also said is also advancing on a number of discussions with potential partners on strategic opportunities, including a possible merger, acquisition or licensing deal, assessed as one of the relevant options to move forward.
Further on M&A front, Adani Green Energy announced completion of the 1,050 MW joint venture (JV) with TotalEnergies (TTE.FP). EQT Fund Management updated on Dechra Pharmaceuticals (DPH.LN) acquisition. Aviva (AV.LN) noted additional proceeds of c.£80M expected from exit of Singlife joint venture. Apax (KCT.LN) said it is considering options regarding Kin + Carta recommended cash offer made by Ken Bidco. Silver Lake selling further units of Software AG (SOW.GR) Handelsblatt reported.
Digest:
Sectors - STOXX Europe 600:
Outperformers
Real Estate+0.71%, Technology +0.60%, Oil & Gas +0.61%, Banks +0.53%, Financial Svcs +0.34%, Food & Beverage +0.31%, Ind Goods & Svcs +0.30%, Basic Resources +0.27%, Construct & Mtls +0.26%,
Underperformers
Telecom (0.35%), Utilities (0.10%), Autos & Parts (0.07%), Persnl & HHold Goods (0.03%), Media +0.03%, Health Care +0.06%, Insurance +0.09%, Chemicals +0.14%, Travel & Leisure +0.16%, Retail +0.20%,
Macro/Peripheral markets:
EU
NATO
Turkish parliamentary committee approves Sweden's NATO application - FT
Oil
Oil steady as market monitors Red Sea developments - Reuters
UK
UK quietly drops Brexit law to return to imperial measurements - FT
No10 plans to end inheritance tax in spring ahead of election - Telegraph
Worried Tories promise help for first-time buyers - Times
Treasury says 2024 Budget to be held on 6 March - BBC
UK post-Christmas shopping provides some cheer for retailers - Reuters
France
The waning power of Emmanuel Macron - FT
Spain
Italy
Never said Italy would ratify ESM says Giorgetti - Ansa
Belgium
Belgium Central Bank Chief renewal on hold over political deadlock - Bloomberg
Serbia
Serbia cracks down on protests amid 'election fraud' outcry - Politico
Company news:
Notable Gainers
+67.5% HZM.LN (Horizonte minerals) -- announces interim $20M funding package
+21.5% BUR.LN (Burford Capital) -- Argentina's President Milei suggests issuing perpetual bond to pay $16B damages award in YPF nationalization litigation -- Bloomberg (yesterday post-close)
+17.7% ADJ.GR (ADLER Group) --concludes examination of ADLER Real Estate's financial statements 2019 to 2021
+10.5% SANION.SS (Saniona) -- strengthens epilepsy pipeline with selection of SAN2355 as clinical candidate
+4.1% FYB.GR (Formycon) -- announces EMA acceptance of the MAA for FYB203, a biosimilar candidate to Eylea (Aflibercept)
+4.4% AMG.NA (AMG Critical Materials) -- announces that LIVA Power Management Systems GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of AMG Critical Materials N.V. has agreed to acquire the Vanadium Redox Flow Battery activities from J.M. VOITH SE
+3.7% CNE.LN (Capricorn Energy) -- updates on Senegal contingent payment
+2.6% AAL.LN (Anglo American) -- moving "at pace" to sell up-to-49% stake in Woodsmith fertiliser mine - London Times
Notable Decliners
-13.8% KURN.SW (Kuros Biosciences) -- announces results from two prospective Randomized clinical trials: structure and MAXA
-2.4% NIBE.B.SS (NIBE Industrier) -- to hold from buy at Carnegie Securities
-2.0% EQLS.LN (Equals Group PLC) -- says current trading continues to be in line with the board's expectations and the board remains confident in the longer-term growth prospects of the business; deadlne moved to 24-Jan-24
-1.3% PGHN.SW (Partners Group Holding) -- to Reduce from Buy at Baader Helvea
EU companies reporting tomorrow:
No earnings scheduled
Data:
Economics:
Norway Nov Retail Sales +0.4% m/m vs consensus +0.3% and prior revised to +0.4% from +0.6%
Switzerland December ZEW expectations (23.7) vs prior (29.6)
Markets:
WTI Crude (Feb 24): ($0.75) or (0.99%) to $74.82
€-$ +0.0073 or +0.66% to 1.1118
£-$ +0.0074 or +0.58% to 1.2799
€-£ +0.0010 to 0.8688
S&P 500 (0.07%)
Performance year-to-date
FTSE 100: +3.66%
DAX: +20.17%
CAC: +16.92%
MIB: +28.17%
Stoxx 600: +12.66%
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