Mar 28 ,2024
Synopsis
European equity markets are set to open in positive territory amidst Asian equities again trading mixed Thursday. Japan markets sharply lower heading into the close amid profit taking and rebalancing dynamics. Strong gains in Hong Kong albeit it off its day's high, mainland benchmarks also higher. Southeast Asia mostly lower. US futures mostly unchanged. US dollar unchanged, pressure on AUD and NZD but other forex quiet. Treasury yields mostly higher, JGB yields down. Crude oil higher, precious metals higher and industrial metals mixed. Cryptocurrencies higher following overnight losses.
Central interest rate decisions in focus kicking off with SNB interest rate decision at 9:30CET followed by Norges Bank interest rate decision and monetary policy report at 10:00CET. UK's BOE interest rate decision is announced at at 12:00GMT. In other central bank events, ECB Economic Bulletin and Bundesbank Monthly Report published. ECB's Buch speech at 9:00CET at EP's hearing of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament. Netherlands Central Bank's Knot and BOE's Mann speak at event organised by Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). Norges Bank's Moen speech at 17:00CET at Norwegian Finance Society. Bank of France's Villeroy speaks at 18:30CET at event hosted by House of Finance
Further on today's agenda, Germany's Ministry of Finance releases its latest Monthly Report as well as Deutsche Bahn FY earnings and press conf. EU heads of state and government meet in Brussels for the first nuclear energy summit, co-chaired by the IAEA and Belgium ahead of the start of the EU Summit (through Fri). EU's Simson panellist at the Nuclear Energy Summit 2024, and in UK, MPs general debates on Committees reports on armed forces readiness and defence equipment and on food security. Elsewhere, French President Macron continues State visit to Brazil.
Macroeconomic updates include: Eurozone, France, Germany, UK Mar flash manufacturing/services PMIs, France Mar business confidence, Netherlands Feb unemployment rate, Norway Feb unemployment rate, UK Feb public sector borrowing. Also, European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) Feb new passenger car registrations for the EU + EFTA + UK.
In corporate news, EnergieKontor (EKT.GR) reports FY net income €83.3M vs FactSet €59.6M and hikes divi by 20%. Still in the DACH region, Scout24 (G24.GR) confirms preliminary FY23 financials; confirms financial guidance framework for 2024 - 2026; proposes dividend of €1.20/sh, +20% y/y. BayWa (VYW6.GR) reports FY net income (€93.4M) vs FactSet €25.2M and updates medium term guidance. Jungheinrich (JUN3.GR) reports FY EPS €2.94 vs FactSet €3.08 and announces highest divi in company's history. Aluflexpack (AFP.SW) reports final FY earnings: net income €10.5M vs FactSet €5.8M and reaffirms 2024 guidance. Dermapharm Holding (DMP.GR) reports final FY earnings in line with preliminary release; EPS €1.16 vs FactSet €2.30; reaffirms dividend proposal and 2024 guidance. From the Benelux, InPost (INPST.NA) FY EPS PLN1.30 vs FactSet PLN1.61 and for the FY expects to exceed market growth in all geographies
In other corporate developments, Renault Group (RNO.FP) sold to Nissan 99.1M Nissan shares for €358M whilst Casino, Guichard-Perrachon (CO.FP) announces effective completion of its financial restructuring
Macro/politics
UK goods to face new Canadian tariffs in latest blow to Brexit trade agenda - Politico
BoE rate-setter warns against rushing to cut interest rates - FT
How Portugal's surging far right is already flexing its muscles - FT
Erdogan seeks to regain Istanbul and Vanquish his Nemesis - Bloomberg
Gold holds steady ahead of US data for more Fed clues - Reuters
Top company news
Earnings/updates
France
SOI.FP (SOITEC) -- confirms guidance for FY24; expects FY revenue to be down around (10%) y/y
IVA.FP (Inventiva) -- reports FY net income (€102.7M) vs FactSet (€92.2M) [7 est, (€112.7)-(39.1M)]
TNG.FP (Transgene) -- reports FY net income (€22.4M) vs FactSet (€29.6M) [3 est, (€42)-(13.8M)]
TRI.FP (Trigano) -- reports Q2 revenue €974.2M, +18% vs year-ago €827.2M
ALESK.FP (Esker) -- reports FY net income €14.9M vs FactSet €15.3M [8 est, €14.5-16.1M]
VU.FP (VusionGroup) -- reports FY net income €79.6M vs FactSet €70.7M [8 est, €39-121.7M]
CGM.FP (Cegedim) -- reports FY net income (€7.4M) vs year-ago €13.6M
OSE.FP (OSE Immunotherapeutics) -- reports FY net income (€23.0M) vs year-ago (€17.8M)
LNA.FP (LNA Santé) -- reports FY net income €23.4M vs FactSet €24.6M [3 est, €22.2-27.0M]
ALDVI.FP (Advicenne) -- reports FY net income (€7M) vs FactSet (€8.1M) [2 est, (€8.3)-(7.9M)]; aims to achieve operational profitability during Q4 2024
Benelux
BFIT.NA (Basic-Fit) -- reports H1 revenue €974.2M, +18% vs year-ago €827.2M
INPST.NA (InPost) -- reports FY EPS PLN1.30 vs FactSet PLN1.61 [11 est, PLN1.32-1.88]
UK
PTEC.LN (Playtech) -- StreetAccount Earnings Call Q&A Summary: Playtech Q4
DACHs
RAA.GR (Rational) -- StreetAccount Earnings Call Q&A Summary: Rational Q4
SBS.GR (Stratec) -- reports FY adjusted EPS €1.37 vs FactSet €1.50 [6 est, €1.36-1.60]
ECV.GR (Encavis AG) -- StreetAccount Earnings Call Q&A Summary: Encavis AG Q4
KTN.GR (Kontron) -- reports FY net income from cont ops €75.3M vs 15-Jan guidance €87M and FactSet €73.6M [7 est, €72-75M]
BSL.GR (Basler) -- confirms prelim. FY earnings: EPS (€0.45) vs FactSet (€0.46); reaffirms to suspend dividend payment for 2023
IIA.AV (Immofinanz) -- reports FY FFO (before tax) €275.30M vs year-ago €146.10M
SYT.GR (Softing) -- reports FY IFRS net income (€5.4M) vs guidance (€2.5M)-(€4.5M) and year-ago (€1.2M); guides FY24
DMP.GR (Dermapharm Holding) -- reports final FY earnings in line with preliminary release; EPS €1.16 vs FactSet €2.30; reaffirms dividend proposal and 2024 guidance
EKT.GR (EnergieKontor) -- reports FY net income €83.3M vs FactSet €59.6M; hikes divi by 20% and guides FY24
MZX.GR (Masterflex) -- reports FY EPS €0.83 vs FactSet €0.83 [3 est, €0.80-0.86]; issues FY24 guidance
M&A
EMBRAC.B.SS (Embracer Group) -- Take-Two to buy Gearbox Entertainment from Embracer Group for $460M (SEK4.9B) in shares
SPT.LN (Spirent Communications) -- Keysight Technologies reportedly seeking to outbid Viavi Solutions with a bid of ~200p-a-share for Spirent Communications - Sky News
RNO.FP (Renault) -- Nissan Motor to invest in Ampere regardless of IPO - Reuters (27-Mar, 14:48 ET/22:48 JST)
BFIT.NA (Basic-Fit) -- completes acquisition of 47 Spanish clubs of RSG Group
SPIE.FP (SPIE) -- announces the signature of an agreement to acquire c.75% of MBG energy GmbH in Germany
AZE.BB (Azelis Group) -- acquires PT Marga Dwi Kencana; terms undisclosed
ALLFG.NA (Allfunds Group) -- SIX Group rules out making bid for Allfunds Group - Reuters
EXN.FP (Exclusive Networks) -- acquires NEXTGEN Group in Sidney, Australia; terms undisclosed
LMP.LN (LondonMetric Property) -- announces it has no intention to make an offer for UK Commercial Property REIT Limited
DPP.LN (DP Poland) -- intends to raise gross proceeds of up to £20.5M; includes placing of new shares via accelerated bookbuild through Singer Capital Markets
Healthcare
AZN.LN (AstraZeneca) -- NICE recommends AstraZeneca's Lynparza for maintenance treatment of BRCA mutation-positive advanced ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal cancer after response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy
BIM.FP (bioMerieux) -- bioMérieux receives Dual 510(k) clearance and CLIA-waiver approval for the BIOFIRE SPOTFIRE Respiratory/Sore Throat (R/ST) Panel
Other
ABBN.SW (ABB Limited) -- to launch new share buyback program of up to $1B on 1-Apr
DG.FP (VINCI SA) -- Implementation of the previously announced share buyback programme
SOI.FP (SOITEC) -- announces Eric Meurice to step down as chairman of the board, effective 23-Jul-24; Christophe Gégout will replace Meurice as chairman
BUR.LN (Burford Capital) -- announces CEO and CIO invest $5.1M in company's ordinary shares
CO.FP (Casino Guichard-Perrachon) -- shares trading suspended
Key rating changes
Upgrades
KNEBV.FH (Kone) -- to outperform from neutral at Oddo
HOLN.SW (Holcim) -- to outperform from neutral at Oddo
HM.B.SS (H&M Hennes & Mauritz) -- to buy from hold at Danske Bank
Downgrades
DHL.GR (DHL Group) -- to hold from buy at Deutsche Bank
NIBE.B.SS (NIBE Industrier) -- to equal weight from overweight at Barclays
ACLN.SW (Accelleron Industries) -- to hold from buy at Deutsche Bank
FORT.LN (Forterra Plc) -- to hold from add at Peel Hunt
DFS.LN (DFS Furniture) -- to hold from buy at Berenberg
Other Actions
DLG.LN (Direct Line Insurance Group) -- reinstated buy at Deutsche Bank
LMP.LN (LondonMetric Property) -- reinstated overweight at Barclays
Data
Nikkei (1.46%) to 40168.07
Hang Seng +0.91% to 16541.28
Shanghai Composite +0.31% to 3002.31
S&P futures (3.8) vs prior close of 5308.3
€-$ (0.0009) or (0.08%) to 1.0819
$-¥ +0.02 or +0.01% to 151.32
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