May 21 ,2024
Synopsis
European equity markets are set for a negative open amidst mild declines in Australia, Korea and Taiwan while Nikkei little changed after erasing earlier gain. S&P 500 futures flat afterhours. Treasuries and JGBs little changed as Australian yields remain higher. Yen back to pre-US CPI lows as Aussie dips following RBA minutes.
On today's agenda, there's the 8th EU-Republic of Moldova Association Council, EU's Borrell co-chairs, an EU telecommunication minsters meeting, whilst EU's Simson participates in the 9th Annual Global Conf. on Energy Efficiency by the IEA and EU's Hoekstra speech/discussion on climate action, democracy and geopolitics at the Maastricht Univ. Norway's energy minister Aasland has a meeting at 11:00CET with Federation of Norwegian Industries, topics offshore wind and carbon capture and storage, and meets with Zephyr, a Norwegian renewable company, at 12:30 on the topic of land-based wind power. In Greece, a nationwide 24-hour strike planned by federation of public sector employees, ADEDY, with a rally in Athens from 10:00CET. Reportedly, Ireland, Spain other EU member states may announce recognise Palestine. Ireland's foreign minster Martin on Fri (17th) reportedly stated that recognition would be by end of May, if not on 21-May as first thought. Also, groundbreaking ceremony for the first direct electricity connection between Germany and UK with Germany's economics minister Habeck. There's London Blockchain conf (through Thu).
In central banks, BOE's Kroszner at 9:20BST, Mills at 13:10 speak, Cleland panellist at 12:25 at London City Week (topics include AI and digital assets). Riksbank's Bunge speech at 12:30CET at a seminar organized by ODIN Fonder. BOE's Bailey speech at 18:00BST at London Business School. Switzerland's finance minister Keller-Sutter at 13:45CET and EFG International's CEO at 16:00 speak at the Finance Forum in Liechtenstein. The UK is hosting a summit on artificial intelligence in South Korea, attendees include UK PM Sunak, Germany's Chancellor Scholz, Korean President Yeol and UN's Guterres. In UK, House of Lords questions on plan for Thames Water and other water companies if they fail. Committee topics include pre-appointment hearing for Liz Oakes regards the BOE's Financial Policy Committee.
European macro data releases out today include: Denmark Q1 preliminary GDP, Eurozone Mar trade balance, construction output, UK May industrial trends orders - CBI
In corporate news, In Potugal Mota-Engil SGPS (EGL.PL) issued a Q1 trading update with a revenue of €1.35B vs FactSet €1.30B and reaffirmed its FY guidance. In Greece, Public Power Corp (PPC.GA) and Optima Bank (OPTIMA.GA) reported Q1 earnings. In Italy, Assicurazioni Generali (G.IM) updated investors with its Q1 numbers and confirmed that it's on track to meet its FY numbers.
Politics/Macro/World News
Hungary Set for Half-Point Cut as Scope for Policy Easing Narrows - Bloombergjavascript:void(0);/*1716270950280*/
UK Voters See Tax Hikes Likely Whoever Wins Election, Poll Shows - Bloombergjavascript:void(0);/*1716270958307*/
Ursula von der Leyen backs EU budget links to economic reforms - FT
Top company news
Earnings/updates
IDIA.SW (Idorsia) -- reports Q4 non-GAAP net income (CHF121M) vs year-ago (CHF186M) and FactSet (CHF135M) [1 est]
ALFEN.NA (Alfen) -- reports Q1 Adjusted EBITDA €9.6M vs FactSet €15.2M [5 est, €11.3-17.6M]
BYG.LN (Big Yellow Group) -- reports FY EPS 55.9p ex-items vs FactSet 56.3p [10 est, 55.0-57.3p]
CANTA.SS (Cantargia) -- reports Q1 EPS (SEK0.20) vs year-ago (SEK0.45)
PPC.GA (Public Power Corp.) -- reports Q1 net income €86M vs FactSet €103.9M [1 est]
OPTIMA.GA (Optima Bank) -- reports Q1 adjusted net income €32.7M ex-items vs year-ago €18.0M; reaffirms FY guidance
SHLF.NO (Shelf Drilling) -- Transcript Intelligence: Shelf Drilling Q1 Earnings
EGL.PL (Mota-Engil SGPS) -- reports Q1 Trading Update: EBITDA €196M vs FactSet €175.0M [1 est]; reaffirms FY guidance
PLNW.FP (Planisware) -- reports Q1 revenue €40.9M, +19% vs year-ago €34.5M
G.IM (Assicurazioni Generali) -- reports Q1 net income €1.26B vs consensus €1.04B
M&A
IP (International Paper) -- Suzano (SUZ) reportedly in talks to raise prior offer for International Paper - Reuters
EMBRAC.B.SS (Embracer Group) -- Nintendo acquires Shiver Entertainment from Embracer Group; terms undisclosed
VOD.SJ (Vodacom Group) -- and Orange (ORA.FP) reportedly exploring potential partnerships on African infrastructure deals -- Bloomberg (earlier)
TAP CEO calls on Portuguese government to maintain stake in airline after sell-off; seeks non-aviation investors to ease antitrust concerns - FT
Healthcare
BIIB (Biogen) -- NICE recommends Biogen's Tysabri (or biosimilar) to treat RES-RRMS in adults
REGN (Regeneron) -- Dupixent (dupilumab) late-breaking data from NOTUS confirmatory Phase 3 COPD trial presented at ATS and published in The New England Journal of Medicine
SAN.FP (Sanofi) -- NICE recommends Genzyme's Lemtrada to treat highly-active relapsing-remitting MS
ROG.SW (Roche Holding) -- FDA grants Breakthrough Therapy Designation to Roche's inavolisib for advanced hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with a PIK3CA mutation
MRK.GR (Merck KGaA) -- NICE recommends Merck Serono's Mavenclad to treat relapsing-remitting MS in adults
IDIA.SW (Idorsia) -- CEO Jean-Paul Clozel to retire and stand for election as chairman at AGM on 13-Jun
IPH.FP (Innate Pharma) -- issues clarification regarding SAR443579 designation
VLA.FP (Valneva) -- appoints Hanneke Schuitemaker as Chief Scientific Officer
7370.GR (NexImmune, Inc.) -- SEC filing: 10-Q
Other
DBK.GR (Deutsche Bank) -- Deutsche Bank, European Investment Bank launch climate-friendly housing mortgage program (17-May)
RKT.LN (Reckitt Benckiser) -- Activist investor Eminence Capital builds at least 0.5% stake in Reckitt Benckiser following baby formula verdict - FT
TEF.SM (Telefonica) -- holder Spanish Government through SEPI raises stake to 10% as at 20-May
HEN3.GR (Henkel) -- releases 2023 sustainability report
AVOL.SW (Avolta) -- announces 15-year contracts at John Wayne Airport
RUI.FP (Rubis) -- supports the appointment of holder Ronald Sämann to the board, opposes all resolutions proposed by holder Compagnie Nationale de Navigation
KTN.GR (Kontron) -- wins major order for smart wallboxes; Series production will begin in Jul-24
Rio Tinto declares force majeure on alumina cargoes from Queensland refineries - Bloomberg
Key rating changes
Upgrades
WISE.LN (Wise Plc) -- Wise Plc transferred overweight at Barclays; prior rating was equal weight
CLNX.SM (Cellnex Telecom) -- to buy from hold at Berenberg
ATEA.NO (Atea) -- to buy from hold at ABG Sundal Collier
SWEC.B.SS (Sweco) -- to buy from hold at Kepler Cheuvreux
SDR.LN (Schroders) -- to buy from neutral at UBS
Downgrades
STG.DC (Scandinavian Tobacco Group) -- Scandinavian Tobacco Group transferred hold at Deutsche Bank; prior rating was buy
SOON.SW (Sonova Holding) -- to hold from buy at Jefferies
SHB.A.SS (Svenska Handelsbanken) -- to hold from buy at ABG Sundal Collier
AXFO.SS (Axfood) -- to neutral from outperform at BNP Paribas Exane
Initiations
ZEAL.DC (Zealand Pharma) -- overweight at Cantor Fitzgerald
SEB.A.SS (Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken) -- equal-weight at Morgan Stanley
RDC.GR (Redcare Pharmacy) -- sell at UBS
AZT.NO (ArcticZymes Technologies0 -- buy at Nordea
IVSO.SS (INVISIO) -- hold at Pareto
Others
ASCL.LN (Ascential) -- re-initiated buy at Berenberg
BEIJ.B.SS (Beijer Ref) -- short-term recommendation transferred buy at Handelsbanken; prior rating was hold
Data
Nikkei (0.14%) to 39013.10
Hang Seng (1.82%) to 19278.30
Shanghai Composite (0.28%) to 3162.17
S&P futures +1.5 vs prior close of 5331.8
€-$ +0.0002 or +0.02% to 1.0861
$-¥ +0.07 or +0.05% to 156.34
€-¥ +0.13 or +0.08% to 169.78
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