Apr 22 ,2025
Synopsis
European equity markets set to open mixed following the long Easter weekend
Note that US equities were sharply lower in Monday trading, though ended off worst levels. Market processing Trump administration's continued push against Fed Chair Powell, with economic advisor Kevin Hassett telling reporters Friday the president's team is still studying the possibility of firing him (Bloomberg, Reuters). Hassett accused Powell of "playing politics" in his position, while Trump separately on Friday suggested Powell does not know what he is doing (CNBC). Trump also again called for rate cuts after his Thursday statement that "Powell's termination cannot come fast enough!" Tensions between White House and Fed flaring up following Powell's remarks last Wednesday; seem to be weighing heaviest on the dollar, with traders citing unease about threats to Fed independence (Bloomberg). Recall Powell's term as chair expires in May 2026, and current precedent holds that presidents can only fire independent agency heads for cause. S&P 500 posted third decline in last four sessions, Nasdaq down for fourth-straight day. Stocks also extended last week's decline that was third loss in past four weeks. All US sectors were lower with breadth heavily negative. Big tech was a notable drag, particularly TSLA and NVDA. Dollar index was down 1.1%, lowest since Apr-22. Gold finished up 2.9%, above $3,400/oz for yet another ATH.
The week ahead sees World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings (Mon-Sat) and will see the release and or debate of latest World Economic Outlook, Fiscal Monitor and Global Financial Stability Report. IMF schedule and World Bank schedule. Also see meeting of The Bretton Woods Committee. Also this week: Eurozone, France, Germany, UK Apr preliminary manufacturing/services PMIs as well as earnings/updates from the likes of Danone (BN.FP), Holcim (HOLN.SW), Nestle (NESN.SW), Roche Holding (ROG.SW), Saab (SAAB.B.SS), Safran (SAF.FP), Sanofi (SAN.FP), Unilever (ULVR.LN) and WPP (WPP.LN)
European macro data releases out today include Eurozone Apr flash consumer confidence, Spain Feb trade balance, Sweden Mar unemployment rate. Also of note today, Bank of Portugal's Centeno speech at 15:00CET at the Falar em Liberdade' conf. Also in Portugal, further general election tv debates on RTP1 at 21:00CET (Pedro Nuno Santos (PS) x Paulo Raimundo (CDU)) and on SIC Notícias at 22:00 (André Ventura (Chega) x Mariana Mortágua (BE)).
In corporate highlights, Baloise (BALN.SW) and Helvetia (HELN.SW) propose to form "Helvetia Baloise Holding Ltd" by way of a merger of equals. With a business volume of CHF 20B across 8 countries and a global Specialty business, Helvetia Baloise will become the second largest insurance group in Switzerland and a leading European insurer. Aryzta (ARYN.SW) reports Q1 revenue €523.0M vs StreetAccount €528.3M; Organic revenue growth +1.6% vs consensus +2.5%. L'Oreal (OR.FP) reported Q1 revenue €11.73B vs StreetAccount €11.44B; LFL Sales Growth +3.5% vs SA +1.3%Bertelsmann hopes softening EU regulation will allow revival of M6, TF1 merger, reports FT citing CEO. SAP (SAP.GR) is scheduled to report Q1 earnings late tonight at 22:05 CET. Temenos (TEMN.SW) also reporting after the market close today.
Macro/politics
Greece
S&P Global Ratings raised to 'BBB/A-2' from 'BBB-/A-3' its long- and short-term local and foreign currency sovereign credit ratings on Greece. The outlook is stable. (link )
UK
EU
Brussels warms to efforts to organise summit with Trump (FT )
Geopolitics
US, Ukraine, Europe Allies to Meet Wednesday on Peace Plan (Bloomberg )
Top company news
Earnings/updates
OR.FP (L'Oreal) -- reports Q1 revenue €11.73B vs StreetAccount €11.44B; LFL Sales Growth +3.5% vs SA +1.3%
ARYN.SW (Aryzta) -- reports Q1 revenue €523.0M vs StreetAccount €528.3M; Organic revenue growth +1.6% vs consensus +2.5%
EDPR.PL (EDP Renovaveis) -- provides operational data preview for 1Q25
Also reporting today
Earnings:
DACHs: SAP (SAP.GR), Temenos (TEMN.SW)
France: Poxel (POXEL.FP)
Nordics: Getinge (GETI.B.SS), Siili Solutions (SIILI.FH)
UK: Ebiquity (EBQ.LN), Arecor Therapeutics (AREC.LN), Nostrum Oil & Gas (NOG.LN)
Trading Update: City of London Investment Group (CLIG.LN)
M&A
Baloise (BALN.SW) and Helvetia (HELN.SW) to join forces in a merger of equals; fixed share exchange ratio of 1.0119 Helvetia shares for each Baloise share
YPSN.SW (Ypsomed Holding) -- agrees to sell its diabetes care business to TecMed for up to CHF420M, including earn-out
MMT.FP (M6-Metropole) -- Bertelsmann hopes softening EU regulation will allow revival of M6, TF1 merger - FT, citing CEO
7205.JP (Hino Motors) -- Hino Motors, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck near merger agreement - Nikkei
7205.JP (Hino Motors) -- responds to Nikkei report; notes that nothing has been decided regarding final agreement with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck
RENE.PL (Redes Energeticas Nacionais SGPS) -- acquires electricity transmission company in Chile for $71.4M (post EU close 21-Apr)
542772.IN (360 One Wam) -- enters exclusive strategic collaboration with UBS on wealth management in India and international markets
Healthcare
NOVO.B.DC (Novo Nordisk) -- has submitted oral version of Wegovy for FDA approval - BioPharma Dive
ROG.SW (Roche) -- to invest $50B in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics in the United States over the next five years
GLPG.NA (Galapagos) -- announces executive leadership changes
13.HK (Hutchmed) -- completes patient enrollment of phase II registration study of Savolitinib in gastric cancer in China
Other
SREN.SW (Swiss Re) -- announces Bernhard Kaufmann will succeed Patrick Raaflaub as Group Chief Risk Officer as of 1-Oct-25
HELN.SW (Helvetia Holding) -- announces CFO and CRO resign effective latest as of Apr-26 and as of 30-Sep-25, respectively
Climate TRACE began monthly updates in March; estimates global carbon emissions independently from government inventories
Key rating changes
Upgrades
Berenberg upgrades ENOG.IT, ENOG.LN
RI.FP (Pernod Ricard) -- to equal weight from underweight at Barclays
TATE.LN (Tate & Lyle) -- to overweight from equal weight at Barclays
ATE.FP (Alten) -- to outperform from neutral at Oddo
THULE.SS (Thule Group) -- to buy from hold at ABG Sundal Collier
OVH.FP (OVHCloud) -- to hold from sell at Stifel
Downgrades
ORSTED.DC (Ørsted) -- to underweight from equal weight at Barclays
EQNR.NO (Equinor) -- to underperform from sector perform at RBC Capital Markets
Data
Nikkei (0.23%) to 34200.26
Hang Seng +0.66% to 21535.34
Shanghai Composite +0.45% to 3306.13
S&P futures +22.3 vs prior close of 5184.8
€-$ +0.0029 or +0.25% to 1.1543
$-¥ (0.95) or (0.67%) to 139.92
€-¥ (0.71) or (0.44%) to 161.50
This information and data is provided for general informational purposes only. The Bank of New York Mellon and our information suppliers do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of this information or data. We provide no advice nor recommendation or endorsement with respect to any company or securities. We do not undertake any obligation to update or amend this information or data. Nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities.
Please refer to "Terms Of Use".
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS:
NOT FDIC, STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY INSURED
MAY LOSE VALUE
NO BANK, STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY GUARANTEE