May 23 ,2024
Synopsis
European equity markets are set to open flat amid Asian equities mixed Thursday. Greater China markets lagging with tech stocks weighing on Hang Seng. ASX and Kospi also recording declines. Semis among leading gainers in Japan and Taiwan. Korean stocks rebounding after government announced semi support package. US contracts higher afterhours on NVDA's post-earnings rally. JGB yields higher after BOJ kept purchases unchanged. Kiwi extending gains, dollar steady elsewhere. Crude, base and precious metals all lower.
In political developments, Rishi Sunak announcing general election dominates British press.
On today's agenda, EBU's Eurovision debate for lead candidates in the running for EU Commission President in upcoming EU parliamentary elections begins at 15.00CET. The debate, in English, will be moderated by Martin Řezní�?ek (Czech TV) and Annelies Beck (VRT, Belgium). Spain's finance minister Montero speech at Cercle d'Economia conf (Wed-Fri). EU's McGuinness speaks at the Irish Funds Annual Global Funds Conf. and a Royal Irish Academy Discourse Series: 'The future of the EU: Bigger and Better?' Festival of Economics - Trento (thru Sun) gets underway, participants/speakers include ECB's Cipollone (9:30CET on 26th) and EU's Gentiloni. There's the 14th edition of The State of the Union (through Fri)
In central banks, Riksbank's Bunge speech at 9:05CET at event organised by Fastighetsvärlden. BOE chief economist Pill participates in panel discussion at 12:30BST. There's G7 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors (through Sat), ECB's Lagarde and Cipollone also participate.
Macroeconomic updates include: Eurozone, France, Germany, UK May preliminary manufacturing/services PMIs, Eurozone May flash consumer confidence
In corporate news, CTS Eventim (EVD.GR) reports Q1 adj EBITDA €92.2M vs FactSet €88.0M. Also in the DACH region, Julius Baer Group (BAER.SW) trading update for first four months of 2024: AuM CHF 471B vs consensus CHF462.50B. From the Benelux, Greenyard (GREEN.BB) reports FY EPS €0.28 vs FactSet €0.36 and reaffirms FY26 outlook.
Out of the Nordics, NRC Group (NRC.NO) launches its new strategy and ambitions for the next four years. Embracer Group (EMBRAC.B.SS) reports Q4 earnings including EPS SEK1.50 ex-items vs FactSet SEK0.55 EMBRAC.B.SS. Company also announced the appointment of Müge Bouillon as CFO effective as of 1-Sep
Further in management changes, Telenor Group (TEL.NO) President & CEO Sigve Brekke to step down on 1-Dec; appoints Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer as new President and CEO
Politics/Macro/World News
Top company news
Earnings/updates
BAER.SW (Julius Baer Group) -- trading update for first four months of 2024: AuM CHF 471B vs consensus CHF462.50B
SOI.FP (SOITEC) -- reports Q4 revenue €337M vs FactSet €348.2M [4 est, €333.9-374M]
GALE.SW (Galenica) -- trading update, reports sales CHF1.26B in the first four months of 2024, +4.8% pcp
SBO.AV (Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment) -- reports Q1 EPS €0.95 vs year-ago €1.35
GIMB.BB (Gimv) -- reports FY EPS €7.80 vs year-ago (€2.20)
IBAB.BB (Ion Beam Applications) -- Q1 business update: backlog remains at a high of €1.4B, net cash €30.1M
EMBRAC.B.SS (Embracer Group) -- reports Q4 EPS SEK1.50 ex-items vs FactSet SEK0.55 [6 est, SEK0.36-0.90]
GREEN.BB (Greenyard) -- reports FY EPS €0.28 vs FactSet €0.36 [4 est, €0.21-0.54]
EVD.GR (CTS Eventim) -- reports Q1 adj EBITDA €92.2M vs FactSet €88.0M
D6H.GR (Datagroup) -- reports Q2 EBIT €20.8M vs FactSet €9.5M [1 est]
M&A
MRK.GR (Merck KGaA) -- signs definitive agreement to acquire life science company Mirus Bio for $600M (~€550M)
ENI.IM (Eni) -- exploring sale of 20% stake in Enilive after receiving expressions of interest - Bloomberg
GXI.GR (Gerresheimer) -- to acquire Blitz LuxCo Sarl for enterprise value ~€800M; Moulded Glass business to be strategically reviewed
HL.LN (Hargreaves Lansdown) -- Consortium confirms considering possible offer for Hargreaves Lansdown; most recent offer of 985p per HL share was rejected
MMB.FP (Lagardere) -- Lagardère SA signs preliminary MoU and continuation of exclusive negotiations with LVMH for the sale of Paris Match
GLE.FP (Societe Generale) -- considers cross-border mergers between European banks to be structurally unlikely - Reuters
Healthcare
SAN.FP (Sanofi) -- announces new results from rilzabrutinib phase 2 study show potential to be first advanced oral treatment for moderate-to-severe asthma (timing uncertain)
MRK.GR (Merck KGaA) -- US DoJ declines to prosecute Merck KGaA subsidiary MilliporeSigma
UCB.BB (UCB) -- announces publication in The Lancet of phase 3 bimekizumab trials in moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa
IVA.FP (Inventiva) -- highlights two scientific presentations for lanifibranor at the EASL 2024
NYXH.BB (Nyxoah) -- announces common stock offering of indeterminate size through Cantor Fitzgerald
announces reduction of maximum amount available under ATM equity offering program
EAPI.FP (Euroapi) -- announces €130M-150M supply contract
GALD.SW (Galderma Group) -- Galderma Launches Restylane VOLYME in China
Other
BP.LN (BP) -- puts gas development project discussions with Venezuela on hold following expiration of US license - Reuters
VWS.DC (Vestas Wind Systems) -- to pilot Sustainable Aviation Fuel at Baltic Eagle Wind Farm during 2024
BNP.FP (BNP Paribas) -- expands financing restrictions on high-carbon assets to include aviation, shipping, commercial real estate
ML.FP (Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SA) -- Michelin publishes global tire market data for Apr
NWG.LN (NatWest Group) -- Britain set to abandon NatWest Group share sale amid election announcement - Reuters
TEL.NO (Telenor) -- Group President & CEO Sigve Brekke to step down on 1-Dec; appoints Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer as new President and CEO
DOKA.SW (dormakaba Holding) -- appoints Carsten Franke as COO, effective 1-Aug
ADDT.B.SS (Addtech) -- proposes current board member Malin Nordesjö is elected chairman of the board at AGM in 2024; current chairman Kenth Eriksson has declined re-election
DOCM.SW (DocMorris) -- Finance announces the exercise of its option to redeem the 2.75% Convertible Bonds due 31-Mar-25 on 25-Jun-24 at par plus accrued interest.
WBD.IM (Webuild) -- Salini offers ~€225M of exchangeable (into Webuild shares) bonds through BofA and Intesa Sanpalolo
Key rating changes
Upgrades
ULVR.LN (Unilever) -- to overweight from underweight at JPMorgan
ALLFG.NA (Allfunds Group) -- to neutral from underperform at Autonomous Research
MIPS.SS (MIPS) -- upgraded to buy from hold at ABG Sundal Collier
Downgrades
NESN.SW (Nestle) -- to neutral from overweight at JPMorgan
MTRS.SS (Munters Group) -- to hold from buy at Jefferies
Initiations
BBOX.LN (Tritax Big Box REIT) -- buy at Deutsche Numis
Data
Nikkei +1.15% to 39061.63
Hang Seng (1.65%) to 18877.94
Shanghai Composite (1.19%) to 3121.02
S&P futures +30.8 vs prior close of 5328.0
€-$ (0.0117) or (1.08%) to 1.0707
$-¥ +0.17 or +0.11% to 156.97
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