Jan 06 ,2026
Synopsis
European equity markets are set to open higher whilst Markets in Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Poland, and Sweden will be closed for Epiphany Day.
Asia equities advancing once again Tuesday. More strong gains for the Nikkei and Topix, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong benchmarks. The Kospi and Taiex also higher to post fresh records while Indonesia and Singapore also strong and also at new highs. India slightly lower, Australia down under pressure from bank stocks on valuation concerns.
Regional attention still largely on diplomacy/geopolitics accentuated by the US intervention in Venezuela which represents a substantial setback for China investment in Latin America. Latest press discussions canvassed China's economic exposure to Venezuela (notably crude oil access) though complications not seen reaching levels that might provoke direct confrontation with US. China NFRA asked major lenders to report lending exposure to Venezuela and to step up risk monitoring. Also, ongoing debate over how the US precedent might influence China's territorial claims. Latest report indicated Taiwan sees this as a deterrent against Beijing aggression.
Sanguine US price action in the wake of Venezuela developments apt to reinforce clarity for Asia markets after regional semis emerged as the frontrunner, some of which reflected optimism ahead of CES presentations. Semblance of haven trades remained generally secondary to established macro/micro themes (US macro, Fed rates, AI, valuations, earnings fundamentals). Strength in energy stocks garnered the most attention as the main Venezuela-driven trade, followed by defense. Tight memory chip supply driving inflated prices also coming more into focus as an extension of AI dynamics.
On today's agenda , UK parliament sees MPs questions on Energy Security and Net Zero, whilst committee topics include reforming the water sector at 10:00GMT, Post Office Horizon scandal at 14:00 (includes Paul Patterson, director of Fujitsu Services (6702.JP)). Norway's government concludes a 2-day strategy conf. France due to host a "Coalition of the Willing" leaders' meeting, attendees include EU's von der Leyen, Kallas and Costa. Amongst events and conferences are CES technology trade fair, Las Vegas (through Fri), Norway Seafood Council's annual conf and also in Norway, "North in South 2026" conf. Of note, Germany and UK Dec new car registrations are due to be released and Deutsche Lufthansa (LHA.GR) celebrates its 100th Anniversary; first aircraft with the annv. special livery landed at Frankfurt airport on 23-Dec.
In central banks, Bank of France hosts event 'The International Monetary System and international payments. Recent trends and challenges ahead' which sees Bank of France's Villeroy speech at 9:00CET, ECB's Cipollone chairs a panel at 10:30 and Bundesbank's Mauderer chairs panel at 16:00.
A busy macro front today with Italy, Spain Dec services PMI as well as final reads for Eurozone, France, Germany, UK, Germany Dec preliminary CPI, France Dec preliminary CPI, UK Dec shop price inflation - BRC, Ireland Dec preliminary HICP.
In Corporate news, Stellantis (STLAM.IM) FCA US issued total Q4 sales of 332,321 vehicles, +4% y/y; whilst BMW (BMW.GR) of North America released Q4 US BMW brand sales of 113,512 vehicles, (3.4%) y/y. In the Netherlands, Galapagos (GLPG.NA) announced its intention to wind down its cell therapy activities following a comprehensive strategic review and sale process, including an exploration of potential divestment options. In France, Nexans (NEX.FP) issued an updated on the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project, indicating to changes that will affect delivery date but not the 2028 financial guidance.
Politics/Macro/World News
UK Dec shop price inflation +0.7% vs consensus +1.0% and prior +0.6% - BRC
Eni, Repsol fight to recoup $6bn in gas payments from Venezuela - FT
Venezuela swears in interim president after defiant Maduro pleads not guilty in US court - BBC
Economists favour Hernández de Cos and Knot as next ECB president - FT
Trump's Greenland Logic Spells Trouble for Europe and NATO - Bloomberg
UK Wealth Cracks Widen as Family Offices Start Scaling Back - Bloomberg
Top company news
Earnings/updates
STLAM.IM (Stellantis) -- FCA US reports Q4 sales of 332,321 vehicles, +4% y/y
GLPG.NA (Galapagos) -- board makes decision to initiate wind-down of Cell Therapy activities
APAM.NA (Aperam) -- reaffirms Q4 of 2025 outlook
BMW.GR (Bayerische Motoren Werke) -- of North America reports Q4 U.S. BMW brand sales 113,512 vehicles, (3.4%) y/y
SMG.SW (SMG) -- and the Price Supervisor reach amicable agreement; no impact on SMG's previously announced financial target
NEX.FP (Nexans) -- updates on Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project; changes will affect delivery date but will not affect 2028 financial guidance
TRI.FP (Trigano) -- reports Q1 revenue €833.4M vs FactSet €868.0M [1 est]
BAKKA.NO (Bakkafrost) -- Q4 Trading Update
Also due to report today:
Trading Update:
UK: Next (NXT.LN)
Traffic: Icelandair (ICEAIR.IR)
CMD/Events: AstraZeneca (AZN.LN) BofA EU Pharma R&D conf call
M&A
APO (Apollo Global Management) -- Ab InBev exercises right to reacquire minority stake in its US-based metal container plant from Apollo Global Management for ~$3B
HOLN.SW (Holcim) -- acquires French manufacturer of precast concrete Alkern; terms undisclosed
UCG.IM (UniCredit) -- has increased its stake in Alpha Bank to ~29.8%
ZIM (Zim Integrated Shipping Services) -- trades lower following update on the company's Authority (state) intervening in/cooling the sales process - Calcalist
FAGR.BB (Fagron) -- completes Purifarma transaction in Brazil
HHFA.GR (Hamburger Hafen und Logistik) -- Port of Hamburg Beteiligungsgesellschaft SE submits request to squeeze out minority shareholders of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik
SCHP.FP (Seche Environnement) -- announces two acquisitions in Chile and Italy
Imabari Shipbuilding says it has completed acquisition of combined 30% stake in Japan Marine United from JFE Holdings and IHI - Nikkei
Healthcare
SAN.FP (Sanofi) -- FDA issues press release confirming pediatric label expansion for Cablivi
DBV.FP (DBV Technologies) -- SEC filing: SCHEDULE 13D/A (Filed by Bpifrance Participations SA)
IDIA.SW (Idorsia) -- announces new analysis of Phase 3 study of daridorexant in women during menopausal transition age with insomnia published in Maturitas
IDIA.SW (Idorsia) -- initiates a proof-of-concept trial with its oral first-in-class selective CCR6 antagonist
NWRN.SW (Newron Pharmaceuticals) -- EPO to grant Newron new patent for evenamide
Other
INGA.NA (ING Groep) -- will pay €0.172/share on 15-Jan, as part of the up to €1.6B distribution to shareholders as announced on 30-Oct
DG.FP (VINCI SA) -- implements share buyback program
VRLA.FP (Verallia) -- appoints Cristina Riesgo as CFO, effective 1-Mar-26
PIRC.IM (Pirelli & C.) -- Pirelli, Italy seeking fresh solutions for ending Sinochem's involvement in the company amid US ban on Chinese-backed car software and hardware - FT
Eni, Repsol struggling to recover payments worth ~$6B from Venezuela - FT
Quectel Wireless Solutions issues cease and desist letters to Telit Cinterion, Thales Group, DBAY Advisors, Liberty Bell Project and Charles Parton
Key rating changes
Upgrades
G24.GR (Scout24) -- to buy from hold at Jefferies
SMG.SW (SMG Swiss Marketplace Group) -- to buy from hold at Jefferies
GIVN.SW (Givaudan) -- to equal-weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley
ISS.DC (ISS A/S) -- to overweight from equal-weight at Morgan Stanley
RS1.LN (RS Group plc) -- to overweight from equal-weight at Morgan Stanley
RTO.LN (Rentokil Initial) -- to overweight from equal-weight at Morgan Stanley
DGE.LN (Diageo) -- to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital Markets
GALP.PL (Galp Energia SGPS) -- to overweight from equal-weight at Morgan Stanley
PAG.LN (Paragon Banking Group) -- to buy from hold at Jefferies
BA.LN (BAE Systems) -- upgraded to hold from reduce at Kepler Cheuvreux
ORA.FP(Orange) -- to buy from neutral at Citi
Downgrades
SSPG.LN (SSP Group) -- to equal weight from overweight at Barclays
DSFIR.NA (DSM-Firmenich) -- to equal-weight from overweight at Morgan Stanley
BUCN.SW (Bucher Industries) -- to neutral from buy at UBS
DCC.LN (DCC) -- to equal-weight from overweight at Morgan Stanley
IMCD.NA (IMCD) -- to equal-weight from overweight at Morgan Stanley
SGSN.SW (SGS) -- to equal-weight from overweight at Morgan Stanley
BNR.GR (Brenntag) -- to underweight from equal-weight at Morgan Stanley
HEIA.NA (Heineken) -- to sector perform from outperform at RBC Capital Markets
AUTO.LN (Auto Trader Group) -- to hold from buy at Jefferies
VEND.N) (Vend Marketplaces) -- to hold from buy at Jefferies
ORSTED.DC (Ørsted) -- downgraded to hold from buy at Kepler Cheuvreux
ADS.GR (Adidas) -- downgraded to underperform from buy at BofA
Data
Nikkei +1.32% to 52518.08
Hang Seng +1.63% to 26775.54
Shanghai Composite +1.38% to 4078.96
S&P futures +14.3 vs prior close of 6943.8
€-$ +0.0011 or +0.09% to 1.1735
$-¥ (0.02) or (0.01%) to 156.38
€-¥ +0.17 or +0.09% to 183.50
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