Feb 16 ,2026
Synopsis
European equity markets set for a mixed, flattish open. Note that US markets are closed today for Presidents Day. Asia equities trading mixed in thin trading Monday.
Last week, European equities ended a choppy week with the Stoxx Europe 600 broadly flat, but UK, Germany and France finished marginally higher. Record highs earlier in the week gave way to rising dispersion amid persistent AI-related volatility and political-driven risk premia in the UK.
This week sees Eurozone, France, Germany, UK Feb flash manufacturing/services PMIs, Germany Feb ZEW survey, UK Dec unemployment rate, Jan inflation report as well as earnings/updates from Airbus (AIR.FP), Air France-KLM (AF.FP), Anglo American (AAL.LN), Carrefour (CA.FP), Danone (BN.FP), Glencore (GLEN.LN), InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG.LN), Nestle (NESN.SW), Orange (ORA.FP), Repsol (REP.SM), and Zurich Insurance Group (ZURN.SW).
European macro data releases out today include Switzerland preliminary Q4 GDP, Eurozone Dec industrial production, Norway Jan trade balance, Sweden Jan unemployment rate. Main economic data release in Asia was Japan Q4 GDP, which rebounded by less-than-expected amid tepid growth in private consumption and investment.
In central banks today, Bundesbank's Nagel speech at 18:40CET at New Years Reception, American Chamber of Commerce. Bank of France's Villeroy speech at conclusion of AEFR conf in Paris. There's also the first of latest ECB Economic Bulletin's pre-releases at 10:00CET as well as Eurogroup meeting, ECB's Lagarde and Cipollone, EU's Albuquerque and Dombrovskis among the participants. In politics, EU Commissioner Tzitzikostas visits Finland (through Tue) whilst an informal 2-day meeting of the EU Employment Committee gets underway.
In M&A, Hapag-Lloyd (HLAG.GR) in advanced negotiations regarding potential acquisition of Zim Integrated Shipping Services (ZIM), terms undisclosed; Apax Partners now says it does not intend to make firm offer for Pinewood (PINE.LN); Euronext (ENX.FP) CEO says in FAZ interview that Euronext is by definition a project that is open to mergers. But adds Deutsche Börse (DB1.GR) wants to remain independent, and at the same time Euronext is not for sale.
Macro/politics
UK Feb Rightmove House Price Index 0.0% m/m vs prior +2.8%
UK House Prices Stall as Buyers Enjoy Most Choice in a Decade -- Bloomberg
BOE's Mann Says UK Consumers Have Been 'Scarred' by Inflation -- Bloomberg
EU tones down criticism of Viktor Orbán ahead of election -- FT
Germany vows more defence tech funding after backlash over tanks -- FT
Europe's earnings gain pace while lofty valuations cap rewards -- Reuters
Top company news
Earnings/updates
B8FK.GR (Biofrontera AG) -- reports preliminary FY EBITDA €3.5-5M vs prior guidance €1.5-3.5M
RATO.B.SS (Ratos) -- reports Q4 EPS from cont ops (SEK5.32) vs year-ago (SEK0.95); hikes divi by 3.7%
Also reporting today
Earnings:
Benelux: Theon International (THEON.NA)
DACHs: Sartorius (SRT3.GR)
France: Vicat (VCT.FP)
Nordics: Aspo (ASPO.FH), Framery Group (FRAMERY.FH)
Trading Update:
France: Inventiva (IVA.FP)
Traffic: Aeroports de Paris (ADP.FP)
M&A
ZIM (Zim Integrated Shipping Services) -- Hapag-Lloyd in advanced negotiations regarding potential acquisition of Zim Integrated Shipping Services, terms undisclosed
PINE.LN (Pinewood Technologies Group) -- Apax Partners now says it does not intend to make firm offer for Pinewood
FII.FP (Lisi) -- Peugeot Invest sells the remainder of its stake in LISI for €116M
ENX.FP (Euronext) -- CEO talks about the pursuit of a European super stock exchange -- FAZ, citing interview
ACKB.BB (Ackermans & Van Haaren) -- announces Mediahuis reaches settlement with Belgian Competition Authority regarding newspaper distribution concession
RATO.B.SS (Ratos) -- to divest Elektrosignal Infra and Ratatek; financial terms undisclosed
ANTIN.FP (Antin Infrastructure Partners) -- enters into exclusive negotiations with CARAVELLE to acquire Belambra
SPIR.NO (Spir Group) -- Bidco Clover announces preliminary result of over 90% of Spir Group ASA's share capital by the end of the offer period under its voluntary cash offer
EOLU.B.SS (Eolus Aktiebolag) -- completes sale of the Roccasecca stand-alone battery energy storage project
Brewdog exploring sale - Sky News
Healthcare
NOVN.SW (Novartis) -- FDA approves sNDAs for Leqvio; new patient population (pediatric), new indication (HoFH) for 12 and older
SAN.FP (Sanofi) -- Sanofi's Beyfortus study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases shows benefit for infants beyond first RSV season
ROG.SW (Roche Holding) -- Roche Holding's Genentech reports Phase III MAJESTY study meets primary endpoint, showing superior two-year remission with Gazyva in primary membranous nephropathy
IRON (Disc Medicine) -- FDA publishes CRL for Disc Medicine's NDA for bitopertin -- FDA website
IRON (Disc Medicine) -- Follow-up: FDA publishes CRL for Disc Medicine's NDA for bitopertin
GALD.SW (Galderma Group) -- appoints Luigi La Corte as CFO, effective 1-May
VLA.FP (Valneva) -- updates on recommendations for use of IXCHIQ in UK
1093.HK (CSPC Pharmaceutical Group) -- receives FDA approval to conduct clinical trials in US with GLP-1/GIP receptor dual-biased agonist polypeptide long-acting injection
EGTX.SS (Egetis Therapeutics) -- Egetis Therapeutics' partner Fujimoto Pharmaceuticals has a pre-application consultation for drugs with Japan's PMDA regarding Emcitate
Other
VOW.GR (Volkswagen) -- planning massive cost-cutting program; aim to cut costs by 20% by the end of 2028 -- Manager magazine
SAAB.B.SS (Saab) -- announces MOU with Joint Stock Company "Ukrainian Defense Industry"
Estimated weekend box office revenues in US, Canada $118.3M, (23.2%) y/y - Box Office Mojo
Key rating changes
Upgrades
ACS.SM (ACS SA) -- to buy at Jefferies
ALK.B.DC (ALK-Abello) -- to buy from hold at DNB Carnegie
KNEBV.FH (Kone) -- to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank
Downgrades
NHY.NO (Norsk Hydro) -- to hold from buy at Pareto
NHY.NO (Norsk Hydro) -- to sell from neutral at Goldman Sachs
SDR.LN (Schroders) -- to sector perform from outperform at RBC Capital Markets
FTK.GR (flatexDEGIRO) -- to neutral from outperform at BNP Paribas Exane
SMCRT.NO (SmartCraft) -- to hold from buy at DNB Carnegie
Other Actions
AUSS.NO (Austevoll Seafood) -- assumed buy at Pareto
Data
Nikkei (0.24%) to 56806.41
Hang Seng +0.52% to 26705.94
Shanghai Composite +0.00% to 4082.07
S&P futures +11.3 vs prior close of 6850.5
€-$ (0.0005) or (0.04%) to 1.1868
$-¥ +0.48 or +0.32% to 153.14
€-¥ +0.53 or +0.29% to 181.76
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