Aug 26 ,2025
Synopsis
European equity markets are set to open lower, following weaker performance on Monday. FTSE reopens after UK Bank Holiday. Asian equity market mostly lower. Declines led by Japan, Korea and Australia. Mainland China firmer. Hang Seng a bit softer. US equity futures slightly weaker.
Big story involves President Trump announcing he is removing Fed Governor Cook 'for cause', effective immediately over prior allegations mortgage fraud. Cook responded by saying she would not resign and that Trump lacked authority to remove her. Her lawyer also flagged unspecified actions against Trump's decision, fitting with thought Cook could seek immediate injunction to reinstate her while situation plays out in court. Discussions also pivoted back to long-running concerns about White House pressure on Fed and associated risk to its independence.
Trump also issued more tariff threats on Monday, flagging extra duties and export controls on countries that impose digital taxes on American tech companies. Trump also said China must ensure continued flow of rare earths magnets or face tariffs of up to 200%. Trump met with South Korean President Lee on Monday. Trump rebuffed efforts to alter trade deal struck in July while two discussed investment and purchase commitments involving shipbuilding.
In Europe, attention on developments in France after PM Bayrou called confidence vote on controversial budget for 8-Sept. Increases risk of collapse of government and another election. Nothing new from recent ECB comments, which reinforce expectations that the ECB very close to end of easing cycle. In UK, update from retail group BRC showed acceleration in UK food price inflation, which fits in with notion of upside risk for inflation. Meanwhile, vacancies for entry-level jobs hit five-year low. More conjecture over UK fiscal risk and potential headwind for currency.
On today's agenda, in the morning, Chancellor Merz hosts Canadian PM Carney, whilst in the afternoon hosts Belgian PM De Wever. Joint press confs. are planned after both meetings. (Reportedly joining the Canadian PM on trade mission to Germany are energy & natural resources and defence ministers). Norway's minister of finance Stoltenberg gives a lecture at 11:00CET at BI Norwegian School of Business in Oslo.
In central banks, Bank of France's Villeroy panellist - title Central Banks in the Age of Artificial Intelligence - at 12:45CET at EEA Congress (Mon-Thu). BOE's Mann speech/panellist at 17:00BST at event hosted by Bank of Mexico. Hungary interest rate decision at 14:00CET. No change expected in the 6.5% benchmark interest rate. Riksbank publishes at 9:30CET the minutes of last MPC meeting.
Quiet macro calendar due today includes France Aug consumer confidence, Sweden Jul PPI, and Finland Jul unemployment rate
In earnings news, DAHCs names kicked off the session with Molecular Partners (MOLN.SW) and Flughafen Zuerich (FHZN.SW) amongst others in the region to update investros with their latest numbers. In Benelux, DEME Group (DEME.BB) reported H1 earnings and confirmed its expectation or the full-year. In Nordics, Bakkafrost (BAKKA.NO) released its Q2 earnings report, whilst Vår Energi (VAR.NO) announced it achieves milestone by reaching a production level of 400K barrels of oil equivalent per day (kboepd), ahead of schedule.
Politics/Macro/World News
Trump orders removal of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook - BBC
Nature loss will cut UK GDP by 5% without action from private sector, say experts - The Guardian
French government risks collapse with budget confidence vote in September - Reuters
French Bond Selloff on Political Peril Entices Buyers From Japan - Bloomberg
Carney Visits Germany's TKMS as Canada Looks to Spend Billions on Subs - Bloomberg
Swedbank Sees Riksbank Rate Lowered to 1.5% This Year - Bloomberg
UK Aug shop price inflation +0.9% y/y vs consensus +0.9% and prior +0.7% - BRC
Top company news
Earnings/updates
DACHs
MOLN.SW (Molecular Partners) -- reports financial results and highlights for H1 2025
FHZN.SW (Flughafen Zuerich) -- reports H1 net income CHF161.3M vs FactSet CHF151.2M [4 est, CHF148-154.4M]
ARBN.SW (Arbonia) -- reports H1 adjusted net income from cont. ops. (CHF3.7M) vs year-ago CHF0.2M; reaffirms FY guidance
TXGN.SW (TX Group) -- reports H1 adjusted net income CHF33.5M, (31%) vs year-ago CHF48.4M
VPBN.SW (VP Bank) -- reports H1 net income CHF28.8M vs year-ago CHF11.5M
VETN.SW (Vetropack Holding) -- reports H1 net income CHF9.8M vs FactSet CHF10.2M [1 est]
KUD.SW (Kudelski) -- reports H1 net income ($32.9M) vs FactSet ($29.4M) [1 est]
DMP.GR (Dermapharm Holding) -- confirms final H1 revenue €574.5M
HTG.GR (HomeToGo) -- expects to close the acquisition of Interhome by 29-Aug; reaffirms its previously issued standalone FY/25 guidance
F3C.GR (SFC Energy) -- reports H1 net income €0.3M vs year-ago €5.8M
Nordics
BAKKA.NO (Bakkafrost) -- reports Q2 operational EBIT DKK65M vs FactSet DKK109.7M [11 est, DKK57-319.8M]
GSF.NO (Grieg Seafood) -- reports Q2 EPS copnt ops (NOK1.1) vs year-ago (NOK1.4)
CAPSL.NO (Capsol Technologies) -- reports Q2 EPS (NOK0.38) vs year-ago (NOK0.36)
BWLPG.NO (BW LPG) -- reports Q2 EPS $0.23 vs FactSet $0.26 [6 est, $0.21-0.32]
VAR.NO (Vår Energi) -- achieves milestone by reaching a production level of 400K barrels of oil equivalent per day (kboepd), ahead of schedule
MPCC.NO (MPC Container Ships) -- reports Q2 EPS $0.11 ex-items vs FactSet $0.11 [3 est, $0.11-0.11]
SMCRT.NO (SmartCraft) -- reports Q2 ARR NOK505M vs FactSet NOK494.5M
PLSV.NO (Paratus Energy Services) -- reports Q2 combined segment net income $5.6M; reaffirms FY guidance ranges, EBITDA anticipated at the top end
EOLU.B.SS (Eolus Aktiebolag) -- reports Q2 EPS (SEK1.51) vs FactSet (SEK1.50) [1 est]
Benelux
DEME.BB (DEME Group) -- reports H1 EPS €7.08 vs year-ago €5.58
BANQ.BB (Banqup Group) -- reports H1 net income (€26.2M) vs year-ago (€24.4M)
Also due to report today includes
Denmark: Royal Unibrew (RBREW.DC), Vestjysk Bank (VJBA.DC), Fynske Bank (FYNBK.DC)
Germany: Green Hydrogen Systems (3LUA.GR)
Norway: Cadeler (CADLR.NO), Bouvet (BOUV.NO), Dolphin Drilling (DDRIL.NO)
Other: Moscow Exchange (MOEX.RU)
Sweden: BioInvent International (BINV.SS), AlzeCure Pharma (ALZCUR.SS), Xbrane Biopharma (XBRANE.SS)
UK: Prudential (PRU.LN), Ashtead Technology Holdings (AT.LN)
M&A
FGR.FP (Eiffage) -- acquires energy services companies CVS, M3i Controls and Inmotechnia. Terms were not disclosed
SPIE.FP (SPIE) -- acquires Voets & Donkers Koeltechniek B.V. and VND Technical Services B.V.; terms not disclosed
AGI.AU (Ainsworth Game Technology) -- terminates implementation deed with Novomatic as shareholder approval condition unlikely to be met
EPIC Crude pipeline owners reportedly weighing sale at ~$2.5B-3.5B including debt -- Reuters
Healthcare
ONCO.SS (Oncopeptides) -- enters into additional guarantee commitments, reports rights issue now fully guaranteed
Other
TEMN.SW (Temenos) -- announces completion of its 2025 share buyback program
FactSet Podcast - Evening Market Recap, 25-Aug
Nutrien, Mosaic shares tick higher; Department of the Interior publishes draft notice proposing to include potash in 2025 List of Critical Minerals
White House reportedly seeks to halt development of second wind farm -- Bloomberg
Key rating changes
Upgrades
EN.FP (Bouygues) -- to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan
DIA.IM (Diasorin) -- to overweight from equal-weight at Morgan Stanley
Downgrades
BIM.FP (bioMerieux) -- to equal-weight from overweight at Morgan Stanley
ADM.LN (Admiral Group) -- to neutral from outperform at Autonomous Research
KGF.LN (Kingfisher) -- to hold from buy at Deutsche Numis
ABF.LN (Associated British Foods) -- to sell from hold at Deutsche Numis
WIX.LN (Wickes Group) -- to sell from hold at Deutsche Numis
Initiations
KRN.GR (Krones) -- buy at Jefferies
ENQ.LN (EnQuest) -- buy at Peel Hunt
Data
Nikkei (0.96%) to 42394.76
Hang Seng (0.26%) to 25762.05
Shanghai Composite (0.21%) to 3875.32
S&P futures (1.8) vs prior close of 6455.5
€-$ +0.0020 or +0.17% to 1.1641
$-¥ (0.04) or (0.03%) to 147.73
€-¥ +0.26 or +0.15% to 171.94
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