Feb 02 ,2024
Synopsis
European indices are set to open higher with Asian equities also mostly higher with exception of Greater China markets under pressure with Shenzhen sharply down dragged by selloff in growth stocks, Hang Seng pared earlier gains.
US equities finished higher in Thursday trading, ending near best levels. Came after S&P yesterday suffered worst daily performance since late September; S&P now slightly higher WTD.
Markets digesting US tech earnings after the bell. META +15% after announcing maiden dividend and additional buyback, as earnings comfortably topped expectations following efficiency drive. AMZN +7% with operating income above expectation and cloud division finding traction amid AI-related demand. AAPL (3%) with revenue topping forecasts but China sales disappointing amid weak consumer spending.
Very quiet macro calendar in Europe, leaving focus on US nonfarm payroll data later.
Yesterday Eurozone preliminary CPI for January came in hotter than most analysts were expecting, at 2.8% y/y vs 2.7% expected, even though it was below December's 2.9%. Core CPI was lowest since spring 2022, but still came in 3.3% y/y vs 3.2% expected and 3.4% prior.
Macroeconomic releases due today include:France Dec industrial production, Spain Jan unemployment change, Switzerland Q1 consumer confidence
Friday sees EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting and informal meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers (through Sat).
In corporate news: (KCR.FH) Konecranes reports Q4 EPS €1.21 vs consensus €1.04. (DANSKE.DC) Danske Bank reports Q4 net income DKK5.77B vs consensus DKK5.77B; guides FY24 and announces DKK 5.5B buy-back . (TOM2.NA) TomTom reports Q4 net result (€11.6M) vs consensus (€9M); guides FY24 Revenue €570-610M vs FactSet €600.37M.
Trading Update to be released shortly: YouGov (YOU.LN)
Nestle France enters into exclusive negotiations with French investment fund FnB for the sale of its French baby food business - Les Echos
Politics/Macro/World News
Top company news
Earnings/updates
SAN.FP (Sanofi) -- StreetAccount Earnings Call Q&A Summary: Sanofi Q4
ROG.SW (Roche Holding) -- StreetAccount Earnings Call Q&A Summary: Roche Holding Q4
WRK (WestRock) -- guides Q2 adj EPS $0.17-0.31 vs FS $0.57 - Earnings slides (earlier)
MBG.GR (Mercedes-Benz Group) -- reports preliminary FY23 FCF of the industrial business of €11.3B
PUB.FP (Publicis Groupe) -- Publicis announces U.S.-wide settlement concerning opioid-related work by Rosetta
EOAN.GR (E.ON SE) -- reports Preliminary FY EPS €1.18 ex-items vs FactSet €1.14 [18 est, €0.88-1.27]
HUSQ.B.SS (Husqvarna) -- reports Q4 EPS (SEK1.77) vs consensus (SEK0.73); keeps divi unchanged
VK.FP (Vallourec) -- Follow-up: Vallourec expects FY EBITDA to exceed €1.19B vs FactSet €1.13B; net debt will be below €580M
VK.FP (Vallourec) -- expects FY EBITDA to exceed €1.19B vs FactSet €1.13B; net debt will be below €580M
CABK.SM (CaixaBank) -- reports Q4 net income attributable €1.16B vs consensus €1.21B
TOM2.NA (TomTom) -- reports Q4 net result (€11.6M) vs consensus (€9M); guides FY24 Revenue €570-610M vs FactSet €600.37M
HNSA.SS (Hansa Biopharma) -- reports Q4 EPS (SEK2.40) vs FactSet (SEK3.72) [3 est, (SEK3.79)-(3.66)]
MOVE.SW (Medacta Group) -- reports FY revenue €510.8M vs FactSet €517.1M [6 est, €502.7-557.9M]
GEO.IM (Geox) -- reports preliminary FY revenue €719.6M vs FactSet €742.3M [3 est, €738.5-749.4M]
SYNACT.SS (SynAct Pharma) -- announces its 2024 strategic plan and milestones
Also reporting today
CaixaBank (CABK.SM)
M&A
BARC.LN (Barclays) -- talking to PE firms about taking majority stake in UK merchant payments business - Reuters (1-Feb, 14:15 GMT)
VOLV.B.SS (Volvo) -- completes acquisition of battery business from Proterra
IMCD.NA (IMCD) -- completes acquisition of remaining 30% of Signet Excipients Private Ltd
QDT.FP (Quadient) -- acquires Frama; terms not disclosed
ELI.BB (Elia Group) -- completes acquisition of energyRe Giga
SDRY.LN (Superdry) -- "Just a matter of time" before bid comes in for Superdry - London Times
MUSTI.FH (Musti Group) -- Flybird Holding Oy extends the offer period relating to acquisition of Musti Group to 15-Feb from 5-Feb
ALSN.SW (ALSO Holding) -- ALSO signs preliminary agreement with Datamatic; final purchase agreement should be signed over the coming weeks
Lynas Rare Earths and MP Materials could be working on potential merger -- Australian Financial Review
Healthcare
AZN.LN (AstraZeneca) -- FDA approves sNDA for Tagrisso - labeling change with clinical data
HIK.LN (Hikma Pharmaceuticals) -- announces agreement in principle for US opioid settlement
^HEALTH (Healthcare sector summaries) -- StreetAccount Sector Summary - Healthcare Post-Market
Other
SHB.A.SS (Svenska Handelsbanken) -- provides clarification of press release dated 26-Jan
CABK.SM (CaixaBank) -- proposes a dividend of €0.3919/share (gross); intends to implement a new share buyback during H1 of 2024
FactSet Podcast - Evening Market Recap, 1-Feb
Ferrari confirms earlier reports that Lewis Hamilton will join Scuderia Ferrari in 2025
Italy Jan new passenger car registrations 141,946 units, +10.6% y/y -- UNRAE
Key rating changes
Upgrades
Barclays upgrades EZJ.LN, WIZZ.LN
Morgan Stanley upgrades JMT.PL, SBRY.LN, ZAL.GR; downgrades KGF.LN
BAER.SW (Julius Baer Group) -- to buy from hold at Kepler Cheuvreux
LONN.SW (Lonza Group) -- to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank
MAERSK.B.DC (Maersk) -- to buy from hold at HSBC
SAP.GR (SAP) -- to buy from hold at Jefferies
SCHA.NO (Schibsted) -- to buy from hold at Kepler Cheuvreux
VOLCAR.B.SS (Volvo Car) -- to hold from reduce at Kepler Cheuvreux
WISE.LN (Wise Plc) -- to buy from hold at Jefferies
Downgrades
VWS.DC (Vestas Wind Systems) -- to hold from buy at Deutsche Bank
EVO.SS (Evolution) -- to hold from buy at Kepler Cheuvreux
IMCD.NA (IMCD) -- to hold from buy at HSBC
ATT.SS (Attendo) -- to hold from buy at ABG Sundal Collier
Other Actions
SW.FP (Sodexo) -- resumed equal-weight at Morgan Stanley
Data
Nikkei +0.41% to 36158.02
Hang Seng +0.35% to 15620.69
Shanghai Composite (1.11%) to 2740.08
S&P futures +28.5 vs prior close of 4928.5
€-$ +0.0003 or +0.03% to 1.0877
$-¥ +0.04 or +0.02% to 146.47
€-¥ +0.11 or +0.07% to 159.31
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