Mar 04 ,2024
Synopsis
European equity markets set to open mixed, after the Stoxx Europe 600 closed at a record high of 497.58 on Friday. Germany's DAX also posted fresh all-time highs.
Asian equities reversing early gains to trade mostly lower Monday. Greater China benchmarks in cautious trading ahead of the National People's Congress. Few surprises in latest press previews of the NPC, which commences Tuesday. Leaders reportedly to retain growth target of around 5%. However, recent fiscal and monetary policy rhetoric again points to absence of large-scale easing.
In the UK, main event of the week is the UK Budget., which will take place on Wednesday. UK Chancellot Hunt has hinted that he will introduce tax cuts, though stressed that he would only do so in a way that was "responsible and prudent". Among the measures Mr Hunt is believed to be considering is a further cut to national insurance. (BBC). The Chancellor is also considering revenue raising measures including a possible rise in air passenger duty for business travel, according to the FT. Hunt is, according to the Times, drafting plans for up to £9B worth of tax rises and spending reductions in an effort to balance the books and pay for a potential 2p cut in national insurance. .
The other macro main event this week is the ECB meeting on Thursday. While the ECB is expected to hold rates at a record 4%, the debate on rate cuts is expected to be more heated than ever (ING Think, Reuters)
European macro data releases out today include Switzerland Feb CPI, Spain Feb unemployment change, Eurozone Mar Sentix investor confidence.
In corporate highlights: Henkel (HEN3.GR) reports broadly in-line FY results and issues FY24 outlook. Evonik (EVK.GR) reports Q4 adj. net income (€56M) vs FactSet (€55.1M); to establish a new organizational structure, sees ~€400M pa of cost reductions. Delivery Hero (DHER.GR) announces financing transaction to extend its existing term facilities and to raise add-on term facilities, confirms FY24 guidance. Sosteneo to acquire 49% stake in Enel Libra Flexsys for €1.1B
In central banks, SNB publishes its 2023 Annual Report. Riksbank's Bunge speech at 8:00CET at event organised by Ruter Dam. Bank of Spain's Delgado panelist at 15:30CET at event organized by the Austrian Central Bank, other speakers include Governor Holzmann. Today's agenda also sees Center for European Policy Studies event titled 'Ideas Lab', attendees include EU's Dombrovskis. EU's Šef�?ovi�? participates in a roundtable at the European Conference for a Just Transition and EU's McGuinness delivers a keynote speech at the Annual Payment Conference 2024. Chancellor Scholz participates in the Mercedes-Benz works meeting. In UK, MPs ask questions Levelling Up, Housing and Communities before a general debate on farming. Committee topics include UK's preparedness for future pandemics (16:15GMT). EU energy ministers meeting.
Macro/politics
Top company news
Earnings/updates
HEN.GR (Henkel)
reports FY Revenue €21.50B vs consensus €21.50B, adj EBIT €2.56B vs consensus €2.58B, adj EPS €4.35 vs consensus €4.35
Outlook for FY24: Organic sales growth: 2.0 - 4.0%, EBIT margin: 12.0 - 13.5%, EPS: Increase of +5 to +20% (at constant exchange rates)
EVK.GR (Evonik Industries) -- reports Q4 adj. net income (€56M) vs FactSet (€55.1M); to establish a new organizational structure, sees ~€400M pa of cost reductions
DHER.GR (Delivery Hero) -- announces financing transaction to extend its existing term facilities and to raise add-on term facilities, confirms FY24 guidance
BEAN.SW (BELIMO Holding) -- reports FY net income CHF136.8M vs FactSet CHF120.9M [10 est, CHF116.9-127M]
COTN.SW (COMET Holding) -- reports final FY earnings in line with prelim. release: net income CHF15.4M vs FactSet CHF14.2M [6 est, CHF2.0-18.3M]
ARYN.SW (Aryzta) -- reports FY net income attributable €125.7M, +55% vs year-ago €80.9M
SHLF.NO (Shelf Drilling) -- reports Q4 net income ($21.2M) vs FactSet $5.3M [2 est, $1.4-9.2M]
SHLF.NO (Shelf Drilling) -- issues March fleet status report
GURN.SW (Gurit Holding) -- reports FY net income CHF4.0M vs FactSet CHF10.6M [5 est, CHF5.2-15.2M]
Also reporting today
Earnings:
Southern Europe: Piaggio & C (PIA.IM)
UK: GlobalData (DATA.LN), Craneware (CRW.LN), Senior (SNR.LN), Quartix Technologies (QTX.LN)
CMD/events: AB Science (AB.FP)
M&A
ENEL.IM (Enel) -- Sosteneo to acquire 49% stake in Enel Libra Flexsys for €1.1B (1-Mar, timing uncertain)
SMDS.LN (DS Smith) -- Mondi increases preliminary takeover offer for DS Smith - Bloomberg (1-Mar, post-EU close)
SWON.SW (SoftwareONE Holding) -- founding shareholders provide update on group acting in concert with Bain Capital
BPT.LN (Bridgepoint Group) -- in advanced talks to sell Dorna Sports - Sky News
SPR (Spirit AeroSystems) -- Airbus (AIR.FP) and Spirit AeroSystems have explored Airbus purchasing a220 wings plant -- Reuters, citing sources
SGO.FP (Compagnie de Saint-Gobain) -- signs agreement to sell treated wood business in Ireland and UK
CICN.SW (Cicor Technologies) -- to acquire TT Electronics IoT Solutions Ltd for £20.8M on a cash and debt free basis
Healthcare
JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) -- FDA approves Rybrevant for 1L NSCLC with EGFR mutatiions, and converts AA to tradional approval
MOLN.SW (Molecular Partners) -- announces dismissal of class action lawsuit
532523.IN (Biocon) -- settles with Bayer and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, paving way for introduction of YESAFILI into Canada
Other
TTE.FP (TotalEnergies) -- publishes response to Le Monde article
ALV.GR (Allianz) -- completes acquisition of Tua Assicurazioni from Generali (G.IM)
DNB.NO (DNB Bank) -- completes share buyback program
TPEIR.GA (Piraeus Financial Holdings) -- Hellenic Financial Stability Fund's board approves disposal of stake up to 22% shareholding in Piraeus Financial Holdings
Estimated weekend box office revenues in US, Canada $113.1M, (3.8%) y/y - Box Office Mojo
Italy Feb new passenger car registrations 147,094 units, +12.8% y/y -- UNRAE (post EU close 1-Mar)
Key rating changes
Upgrades
BP.LN (BP) -- to buy from hold at Jefferies
BT.A.LN (BT Group) -- to buy from hold at Berenberg
MUV2.GR (Munich Re) -- to outperform from neutral at Oddo
IBE.SM (Iberdrola) -- to buy from neutral at Goldman Sachs
COFB.BB (Cofinimmo) -- to buy from neutral at Van Lanschot Kempen
CPG.LN (Compass Group) -- to buy from neutral at UBS
GSK.LN (GSK Plc) -- to buy from neutral at Guggenheim Securities
HEIA.NA (Heineken) -- to overweight from equal weight at Barclays
NOVO.B.DC (Novo Nordisk) -- to buy from hold at DnB Markets
OVH.FP (OVHCloud) -- to buy from hold at Stifel
Downgrades
IMCD.NA (IMCD) -- to hold from buy at Jefferies
ELE.SM (Endesa) -- to neutral from buy at Goldman Sachs
UCB.BB (UCB) -- to neutral from outperform at Oddo
FORTUM.FH (Fortum) -- to hold from buy at Berenberg
Initiations
SENS.SW (Sensirion Holding) -- buy at Berenberg
Data
Nikkei +0.50% to 40109.23
Hang Seng (0.44%) to 16516.93
Shanghai Composite +0.41% to 3039.34
S&P futures (6.0) vs prior close of 5146.0
€-$ +0.0009 or +0.08% to 1.0850
$-¥ +0.26 or +0.17% to 150.34
€-¥ +0.42 or +0.26% to 163.11
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