Sep 20 ,2024
Synopsis
European indices are set to open lower as Asian equities trade mostly higher Friday. Strength led by sharp gains in Japan and Hong Kong while South Korea, Australia and Taiwan tracking moderately positive. Mainland China the notable laggard from the open. BOJ left the uncollateralized overnight call rate unchanged at 0.25% as widely expected. Policy statement was brief with no explicit forward guidance.
US equities finished higher in Thursday trading, ending not far from best levels. S&P 500 set a fresh record close while Nasdaq still ~3.5% below its July ATH.
In Central Banks, BOE Bailey speech at 9:30BST at event hosted by Building Societies Assn. whilst BOE Mann speech at 10:30 BST at Bank of Lithuania conf. Bank of Italy's Signorini attends the ANIA Insurance High Level conf. ECB's Lagarde lecture and conversation from 17:00CET at event organised by IMF. Presentation of Norges Bank's Sep Monetary Policy Report ay 10:00CET on Teams, hosted by Bech-Moen. Norges Bank's Longva and Børsum speeches at 10:00CET at Bergen chamber of commerce.
Macroeconomic releases due today include:Germany Aug PPI, France Sep business confidence, Spain Jul trade balance, Eurozone Sep preliminary consumer confidence, UK Aug retail sales, public sector net borrowing, Sep consumer confidence - GfK
In corporate news: Yesterday after the close Mercedes-Benz MBG.GR) Group expects 2024 EBIT to be significantly below prior-year level vs prior expectations for slightly below prior-year level.
CMD/events: HUBER+SUHNER (HUBN.SW) hosts CMD today: expectations for the course of business in the current year unchanged
Politics/Macro/World News
Top company news
Earnings/updates
MBG.GR (Mercedes-Benz Group) -- expects 2024 EBIT to be significantly below prior-year level vs prior expectations for slightly below prior-year level
GNFT.FP (GENFIT) -- reports H1 net income €30.3M vs year-ago (€20.9M)
ATE.FP (Alten) -- reports H1 net income €118.2M vs FactSet €119M [1 est]
ALESK.FP (Esker) -- reports H1 net income €9.3M vs FactSet €7.4M [1 est]; confirms FY guidance
OVS.IM (OVS) -- reports H1 adjusted net income €34.6M, +3% vs year-ago €33.7M
ADOC.FP (Adocia) -- reports H1 net income (€8.9M) vs year-ago (€9.4M)
BOI.FP (Boiron) -- reports H1 net income €3.3M vs year-ago €15.5M
M&A
PUB.FP (Publicis Groupe) -- acquires Mars United Commerce; terms not disclosed
EQT.SS (EQT AB) -- EQT to acquire Indostar Home Finance for $210M
ALESK.FP (Esker) -- and Bridgepoint announce proposed cash tender offer by Bridgepoint at €262 per share
VIS.SM (Viscofan) -- acquires 60% of Brasfibra and Master Couros for BRL$88M
NHH.SM (Minor Hotels Europe & Americas) -- reports the acquisition from its majority shareholder of the entire hotel business in Brazil
GIMB.BB (Gimv) -- sells half of participation in Infravest to WorxInvest
ALICA.FP (ICAPE Holding) -- The ICAPE group announces closing of the acquisition of the NTW group
Healthcare
JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) -- FDA approves Rybrevant for 2L NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutation
NOVO.B.DC (Novo Nordisk) -- Wegovy recommended by the European regulatory authorities for label update to reflect reduced heart failure symptoms and improved physical function
Other
ML.FP (Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SA) -- Michelin publishes global tire market data for August
TIGO.SS (Millicom International Cellular) -- Mauricio Ramos to step down as Chair of the board effective 30-Sep-24
ATO.FP (ATOS SE) -- announces extension of accelerated safeguard proceedings period
UN0.GR (Uniper) -- and ConocoPhillips extend long-term gas supply partnership in Northwest Europe (timing uncertain)
Excelerate Energy to purchase reliquefaction system from Wärtsilä
Key rating changes
Upgrades
BNP Paribas Exane upgrades KRX.ID; downgrades HOLN.SW, SIKA.SW
CARD.LN (Card Factory) -- to buy from neutral at UBS
SKF.B.SS (SKF) -- to hold from sell at Deutsche Bank, we're told (earlier, timing uncertain)
Downgrades
ESSITY.B.SS (Essity) -- to sell from hold at Deutsche Bank
IHP.LN (Integrafin Holdings) -- to add from buy at Peel Hunt
Morgan Stanley downgrades ASML.NA, VACN.SW
Initiations
MOON.LN (Moonpig Group) -- buy at UBS
AOF.GR (ATOSS Software) -- buy at Deutsche Bank
Data
Nikkei +1.69% to 37783.89
Hang Seng +1.03% to 18199.03
Shanghai Composite (0.41%) to 2724.84
S&P futures (10.5) vs prior close of 5778.0
€-$ +0.0003 or +0.03% to 1.1165
$-¥ (0.48) or (0.33%) to 142.15
€-¥ (0.48) or (0.30%) to 158.72
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