May 22 ,2026
Synopsis
European indices are pointing to a higher open with Asian equities trading higher Friday. Japan outperforming with SoftBank extending Thursday's big rally. Taiwan semis seeing broad gains. Hong Kong leading China markets amid rally in pure play AI names ahead of index review.
US equities were higher in Thursday trading as stocks reversed earlier declines though finished a bit off best levels. Semis/memory firmer overall; big tech mostly stronger. Other outperformers included networking/communications, apparel, multis, pharma/biotech, industrial metals, media, E&Cs, cruise lines, and airlines. Most-shorted names, small-caps, retail-investor favorites fared well.
Media reports noted signs of progress in US-Iran negotiations with gaps between two sides said to have narrowed (Reuters, Bloomberg). Iran has yet to formally respond to US proposal though Secretary of State Rubio noted some good signs in talks. Details murky with Iranian press circulating report by Al-Arabiya claiming draft includes end to conflict on all fronts, freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz under joint monitoring mechanism,
In Central Banks, ECB's Lane opening address at 3:15CET at 2026 Asian Monetary Policy Forum (AMPF) and Riksbank's Hjelm will give his first speech as a member of the Executive Board at 8:00CET, title 'my view on monetary policy in an uncertain world'.
Macro data today: Economic: Germany Q1 final GDP, Jun consumer confidence - GfK, business climate - IFO, France May business survey, UK Apr retail sales, public sector borrowing, May consumer confidence - GfK, Denmark Apr retail sales, Ireland Apr PPI
Earnings reported so far today: (RET.BB) Retail Estates reports Q4 EPS €8.22 vs year-ago €7.29. (DOFG.NO) DOF Group reports Q1 net income $69M vs FactSet $92.4M. (IWS.NO) Integrated Wind Solutions reports Q1 net income attributable NOK3.1M vs year-ago NOK2.3M. (REC.IM) CVC Fund IX and Groupe Bruxelles Lambert announce €51.29/share offer for Recordati in a deal valued €10.7B
In M&A: (BAER.SW) Julius Baer Group 4M trading update: AuM CHF 528B vs consensus CHF535.2B; guides FY26
Politics/Macro/World News
Top company news
Earnings/updates
STLAM.IM (Stellantis) -- presents FaSTLAne 2030 targets at Investor Day; revenue growth to €190B by 2030
GNFT.FP (GENFIT) -- reports H1 revenue €9.6M vs year-ago €2.8M
BAER.SW (Julius Baer Group) -- 4M trading update: AuM CHF 528B vs consensus CHF535.2B; guides FY26
QDT.FP (Quadient) -- reports Q1 revenue €243M vs FactSet €251.0M [1 est]
CDA.FP (Compagnie des Alpes) -- reports H1 net income €144.6M, +8% vs year-ago €134.3M; reiterates FY guidance
BLC.FP (Bastide Le Confort Medical) -- reaffirms FY26 revenue guidance at least €510M vs FactSet €510M [1 est]; sells New Medical Concept, the holding company of EXPERF group, to Sapio Gro
M&A
BLC.FP (Bastide Le Confort Medical) -- reaffirms FY26 revenue guidance at least €510M vs FactSet €510M [1 est]; sells New Medical Concept, the holding company of EXPERF group, to Sapio Gro
ENX.FP (Euronext) -- rules out possibility of merger with Deutsche Boerse in the near future - Reuters
RAND.NA (Randstad) -- Randstad, LTM intend to enter strategic partnership
MUX.GR (Mutares SE & Co KGaA) -- Mutares SE & Co KGaA sells remaining 46.3% stake in Terranor Group through DNB Carnegie and SB1 Markets
FBU.NZ (Fletcher Building) -- reports sale of construction division to VINCI is now unconditional, completion set for 29-May
Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners nearing deal to acquire aged-care operator Estia Health - The Australian
Lone Star Funds in early stages of exploring sale of IKB Deutsche Industriebank - Bloomberg
Healthcare
TEVA (Teva Pharmaceutical) -- announces EMA accepts MAA for TEV-'749 for treatment of schizophrenia in adults
ROP.SW (Roche Holding) -- Roche Holding's Foundation Medicine announces FDA approval for FoundationOneCDx as companion diagnostic for TEPMETKO
RIGL (Rigel Pharmaceuticals) -- Rigel Announces Oral and Poster Presentations at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting and EHA2026 Congress
SOBI.SS (Swedish Orphan Biovitrum) -- Sobi announces topline results from the pivotal Phase 3 REDUCE 2 study of pozdeutinurad in gout; both doses meet primary endpoint
SDZ.SW (Sandoz Group) -- calls on European Commission to launch investigation into Chinese imports of amoxicillin trihydrate - FT
AMP.IM (Amplifon) -- to execute share capital increase
13.HK (Hutchmed) -- to present savolitinib phase II gastric/GEJ MET amp data at ASCO 2026
BINV.SS (BioInvent International) -- announces data with TNFR2 Antibody BI-1808 and KEYTRUDA in advanced ovarian cancer at ASCO
9UA.GR (NervGen Pharma) -- announces common shares and warrants offering of indeterminate size
Other
ML.FP (Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SA) -- Michelin publishes global tire market data for April
BT.A.LN (BT Group) -- Bharti Enterprises seeking to increase stake in BT to as much as 29.9% - Reuters
ELUX.B.SS (Electrolux) -- Group announces terms for the fully underwritten rights issue of SEK 9.062B
LOGN.SW (Logitech International) -- SEC filing: 10-K
STLAM.IM (Stellantis) -- Transcript Intelligence: Stellantis Investor Day
VK.FP (Vallourec) -- signs MoU with Syngular Solutions to collaborate on carbon capture and geological storage initiatives in Brazil
Estee Lauder & Puig end discussions regarding a potential business combination
Market Voices: Masters of Scale with Lew Frankfort on building Coach, accessible luxury, and scaling enduring consumer brands
Stellantis shares halted; news pending
Key rating changes
Upgrades
Deutsche Bank transfers DHL.GR, DSV.DC, HLAG.GR, others
JPMorgan upgrades CLN.SW; downgrades AKE.FP, EVK.GR, IMCD.NA, and LXS.GR
Downgrades
LXS.GR (Lanxess) -- to sell from neutral at Goldman Sachs
SYENS.BB (Syensqo) -- to reduce from hold at Kepler Cheuvreux
Initiations
GNC.LN (Greencore Group) -- re buy at Peel Hunt
Data
Nikkei +2.80% to 63412.47
Hang Seng +1.25% to 25703.41
Shanghai Composite +0.50% to 4097.5
S&P futures +25.3 vs prior close of 7466.0
€-$ (0.0001) or (0.01%) to 1.1617
$-¥ +0.11 or +0.07% to 159.09
€-¥ +0.06 or +0.03% to 184.77
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