Aug 04 ,2025
Synopsis
European equity markets set to open broadly higher, after last week's losses. Note Switzerland back online after Friday's National Day holiday so the SMI may buck the trend; recall Switzerland was among hardest hit nations with 39% tariff.
Stoxx600 posted the worst weekly performance since Apr, down (2.57%). On Friday, Europe woke up to the new reality of US tariffs. The other main catalyst for the risk-off move on Friday was US July nonfarm payroll report, with headline jobs number missing consensus, and substantial downwards revisions to the prior number.
This week sees catalysts including BOE interest rate decision (benchmark interest rate expected to be lowered by (25bps) to 4.0%), Jul services PMIs from across the region, Switzerland Jul CPI as well as earnings/updates from the likes of Allianz (ALV.GR), BP (BP.LN), CRH (CRH.LN), Diageo (DGE.LN), Generali (G.IM), Maersk (MAERSK.B.DC), Siemens (SIE.GR), Telecom Italia (TIT.IM) and Zurich Insurance Group (ZURN.SW).
Fallout continues from President Trump's tariff announcements as countries facing steepest levies contemplate their response. Hit with 25% tariffs, India voiced defiance with PM Modi urging citizens to buy local products (Bloomberg), though sources noted India remains engaged with US (Reuters). Delhi also reaffirmed ties with Moscow (Bloomberg) while press sources say India hasn't told refiners to stop buying Russian crude (Bloomberg, Reuters), even as White House accused India of funding Russia's Ukraine war (SCMP). Switzerland among hardest hit nations with 39% tariff, prompting business minster to weigh a revised trade offer to US that includes stepped up purchase commitments (Reuters). Trump hit Brazil with additional 40% tariffs amid a diplomatic and trade row, though while President Lula struck defiant tone he also indicated openness to talks (Bloomberg). Canada said open to reaching deal that results in lower tariffs ahead of possible talks between Trump and Carney in coming days (FT). Meanwhile, White House giving positive signals on direction of US-China trade talks with Treasury Secretary Bessent saying he believes US has makings of a trade deal with Beijing (Reuters). USTR Greer also gave optimistic take on talks, stating they currently focused whether to extend tariff deadline (CBS News).
Late Friday, the UK Supreme Court overturned the landmark Court of Appeals ruling on motor finance commissions, giving banks a partial win (BBC). Rejected key elements of earlier Court of Appeals judgement - that car dealers should have informed customers about commission paid by banks when they arranged loans (Telegraph, FT). Ruled secret commission payments to car dealers under hire-purchase agreements were unlawful but not bribes and not legally bound to customers' fiduciary care. Equity market analysts had warned lenders had not put enough provisions aside and could be liable for redress bill up to £44B, making parallels with £50B pay protection insurance (PPI) scandal, but the latest ruling limits scale (London Times). Note, Financial Conduct Authority carrying out separate review of motor finance and signaled it is likely to impose redress scheme. Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.LN) expected to see a positive reaction on back of the SC judgement; RBC upgrades LLOY.LN to outperform, while JPMorgan upgrades to neutral.
Oil prices lower. WTI Crude (Sep 25) (0.13%) to $67.24. On Sunday OPEC+ announced it will raise September crude output by 547Kbpd, marking full unwind of 2.2Mbpd output cut made in 2023 and includes extra allowance pushed by UAE.
European macro data releases out today include Switzerland Jul CPI, manufacturing PMI, Spain Jul unemployment change, Denmark Jun manufacturing production, Eurozone Aug investor confidence - Sentix. In central banks, first of the ECB's Economic Bulletin pre-releases at 10:00CET
Note Icelandic markets are closed for National Day
Politics/Macro/World News
Labour does not deserve to win next election if it does not deliver change, says Reeves -- Independent
Split Bank of England will struggle to give clear outlook on interest rates, say economists -- FT
Trump to Name New Fed Governor, Jobs Data Head in Coming Days -- Bloomberg
Italy Jul new passenger car registrations 118,493; (5.1%) y/y -- UNRAE
Top company news
Earnings/updates
PNL.NA (PostNL) -- reports Q2 normalised EBIT €11M vs consensus (€3.0M); no interim diiv and reiterates FY25 outlook
STM.GR (Stabilus) -- reports Q3 revenue €316.0M vs FactSet €319.0M [2 est, €314.9-323M]
BDT.GR (Bertrandt) -- reports Q3 EPS (€2.87) vs FactSet (€1.90) [1 est]; reaffirms FY guidance (€18.94)
Also reporting today
Earnings:
France: Cellectis (ALCLS.FP)
Nordics: Oma Savings Bank (OMASP.FH)
Southern Europe: Anima Holding (ANIM.IM), Intercos (ICOS.IM), WIIT (WIIT.IM), EuroGroup Laminations (EGLA.IM)
UK: Senior (SNR.LN)
CMD/events: Inchcape (INCH.LN) Engage Investor at 12noon BST
M&A
KER.FP (Kering) -- in talks to sell majority stake in Milan property - Corriere della Sera
6501.JP (Hitachi) -- Samsung, Arcelik and LG among bidders for Hitachi's Global Life Solutions - Maeil
ICG.LN (ICG) -- near £200M deal to buy three airports from Rigby Group - Sky News
JMT.PL (Jeronimo Martins) -- may go shopping again - Bloomberg
BERG.B.SS (Bergman & Beving) -- acquires Donut Safety Systems; price not disclosed
PPT.AU (Perpetual) -- Speculation EQT could emerge as a bidder for Perpetuals wealth management unit- The Australian
LAT.FP (Latecoere) -- completes sale of Malaga Aerospace, Defense & Electronics Systems to Cicor Group
CICN.SW (Cicor Technologies) -- completes acquisition of MADES; company sees no material impact from US tariffs
PODP.LN (Pod Point Group Holdings) -- announces scheme of arrangement has become effective
Allianz, BlackRock and T&D complete acquisition of Viridium
Healthcare
ROG.SW (Roche Holding) -- Genentech announces new, five-year efficacy, safety and durability data from the Phase III Portal study
HNSA.SS (Hansa Biopharma) -- announces topline results from three patients with DMD treated with imlifidase prior to receiving ELEVIDYS in SRP-9001-104 trial
Other
CBG.LN (Close Brothers Group) -- Follow-up: Close Brothers Group PLC comments on judgment in respect of "Hopcraft"
UBSG.SW (UBS Group) -- UBS resolves legacy Credit Suisse RMBS matter with US DOJ for $300M (CHF241.5M)
BA.LN (BAE Systems) -- awarded $139.6M US Army contract modification
DG.FP (VINCI SA) -- implements €300M share buyback program
UCG.IM (UniCredit) -- notes European Banking Authority's publication of stress-test results yesterday
ABN.NA (ABN AMRO Bank) -- comments on EBA stress test
BMPS.IM (Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena) -- issues press release regarding the EBA stress test
Estimated weekend box office revenues in US, Canada $121.4M, (28.7%) y/y - Box Office Mojo
European Banking Authority releases the results of its 2025 EU-wide stress test
Santos signs MOU with ENGIE for domestic gas supply of up to 20 PJ per year over period of minimum 10 years from Narrabri project
UK Supreme Court overturns landmark ruling on motor finance commissions -- wires / FT
UK's FCA to consult on a compensation scheme for motor finance customers (3-Aug)
Key rating changes
Upgrades
Barclays upgrades AF.FP, IAG.LN, LHA.GR
Jefferies upgrades BA.LN, HAG.GR
TEL2.B.SS (Tele2) -- to buy from sell at UBS
CRBN.NA (Corbion) -- to hold from sell at Berenberg
ITM.LN (ITM Power) -- to buy from hold at Berenberg
LLOY.LN (Lloyds Banking Group) -- to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan, to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital Markets
BIRG.ID (Bank of Ireland Group) -- to outperform from market perform at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods
TMV.GR (TeamViewer) -- upgraded to buy from hold at Kepler Cheuvreux
Downgrades
SHEL.LN (Shell) -- to hold from buy at HSBC
NOD.NO (Nordic Semiconductor) -- to neutral from overweight at JPMorgan
WEIR.LN (Weir Group) -- to hold from buy at Kepler Cheuvreux
Data
Nikkei (1.37%) to 40240.28
Hang Seng +0.58% to 24649.22
Shanghai Composite +0.18% to 3566.28
S&P futures +26.5 vs prior close of 6264.5
€-$ (0.0027) or (0.24%) to 1.1570
$-¥ +0.57 or +0.39% to 147.83
€-¥ +0.31 or +0.18% to 171.05
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