Benelux








Energy Markets

Stellantis adds two new members to its board of directors in order to improve financial oversight and tech expertise

Stellantis, a carmaker, announced on Monday that it had nominated Daniel Ramot, Alice Schroeder, and proposed the reelection of five other board members. The mandates of seven executives are coming to an end. Ramot, an Israeli-American, is the co-founder and CEO at Via, a global company that specializes in transportation technology. Schroeder, a former managing Director of Morgan Stanley, currently serves on the board of HSBC North America. The company stated that "the board believes Schroeder’s deep expertise in strategic leadership and financial oversight, coupled with Ramot’s extensive experience in research and technology, will provide highly valued insights and strengthen...

Oil & Gas

Oil & Gas

US House Republicans try to kill EV loan and tax credit program

As part of a broader tax reform bill, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives proposed Monday to kill the electric vehicle credit and repeal fuel efficiency regulations designed to encourage automakers to build more zero-emission cars. The proposal is scheduled for a House Ways and Means Committee Hearing on Tuesday. It would repeal the $7,500 tax credit for new vehicles and the $4,000 credit for used vehicles on December 31, but it would keep the credit for new cars for an extra year for automakers who haven't sold 200,000 electric cars. Genevieve Cullen - the president of the Electric...

Oil & Gas

Chemical manufacturer Covestro reduces its profit forecast for 2025 and plans to increase local production

Covestro, a German chemical company, cut its core profit forecast for 2025 on Tuesday and announced that it would continue to produce in the same area as it sells. This is because higher U.S. import tariffs are threatening the earnings of the chemical manufacturer. The company has narrowed its range of expected earnings before interest tax, depreciation, and amortization for 2025 to 1 billion to 14 billion euros ($1.13b to $1.59b). The company had forecasted EBITDA to be in the range of 1.0-1.6billion euros. Covestro and LyondellBasell announced that they had both permanently closed their Propylene Oxide Styrene Monomer production...

Oil & Gas

World court dismisses Sudan's genocide case against UAE over alleged Darfur interference

The International Court of Justice dismissed Sudan's claim that the United Arab Emirates were fueling genocide by supplying arms to paramilitary groups in Darfur, saying they lacked jurisdiction. Sudan complained to the U.N.'s highest court that the UAE violated the Genocide Convention in Darfur by supporting paramilitary groups, but the UAE said it should be dismissed. The court agreed with the UAE arguments on Monday, rejected Sudan's demand for emergency measures, and ordered that the case be removed. A summary of the ruling stated that due to the lack jurisdiction, "the court's statute prohibits it from taking any positions on...

Oil & Gas

Reactions to Trump's auto tariffs

The U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a 25% tariff for imported cars and light vehicles starting next week. This move will likely increase prices and slow production, according to auto industry experts. What are your reactions? NATIONAL FOREIGN TRADE COUNCIL (NFTC), WHICH REPRESENTS A LOT OF U.S. COMPANIES. VP TIFFANY SMITEH "Placing tariffs against imports of automobiles could damage the competitiveness and export-readiness of an industry which relies on international supply chains and market integration for its success. We urge the administration, to prioritize the market opening opportunities of auto companies that manufacture vehicles for export from the...

Oil & Gas

French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch

Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. ESSO - The French oil company Esso announced its results for the full year on Wednesday. Its adjusted EBITDA was 58 million Euros and it will propose a dividend of 3 euro per share. SANOFI, French pharmaceutical company announced on Thursday an agreement with Dren Bio to acquire its autoimmune disease treatment DR-0101 from Dren Bio. Sanofi plans to purchase Dren-0201 at a price of $600,000,000 upfront and $1.3 Billion in future payments. SODEXO - French food caterer SODEXO lowered...

Oil & Gas

Starlink, a satellite internet service from Musk's Starlink, and Reliance Satellite Internet Services of India sign a surprise deal

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio has signed a deal to bring Starlink satellite Internet services to India. This is a surprising move by the billionaires who had been at odds with each other for months about how India should allocate spectrum to them. This deal comes on the heels of a similar announcement made by Starlink with India's No. 2 telecom player Bharti Airtel a day before. Starlink will be available in the retail stores of Indian telecom operators, giving Starlink direct access to thousands of outlets in India. The two deals are contingent upon Starlink receiving government approval for operations...

Oil & Gas

Russian court tells Yandex to conceal images of oil refinery after Ukrainian attacks, TASS says

A Russian court has actually purchased web company Yandex to conceal access to maps and pictures of among Russia's largest oil refineries due to continuous attacks by Ukrainian drones, state news agency TASS reported on Friday. Yandex, frequently described as Russia's Google, operates the nation's largest search engine and other online services like maps, translate and email, along with ride-hailing and food delivery. The court in Moscow ordered Yandex to omit information about the refinery's facilities from its search results page by getting rid of and editing images of workshops, compressor stations and other parts of the plant from Yandex...

Oil & Gas

Stellantis-backed ACC to broaden French gigafactory

Battery maker Automotive Cells Business (ACC) is set to sign a brand-new loan to fund the second production block of its gigafactory in northern France, a. business representative stated, as it increases output in spite of Europe's. slow electric car market. The loan, guaranteed by ACC's 2 primary investors, automobile. makers Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz Group,. deserves around 1 billion euros ($ 1.05 billion), two sources. knowledgeable about the matter said, verifying a report by paper. Les Echos. Stellantis and Mercedes did not react to ask for. comment. Smaller sized investor TotalEnergies decreased to. comment. The factory already operates one production...

Oil & Gas

Varo Energy in talks to purchase Preem's Swedish refineries, sources say

European energy company Varo Energy is in speak with obtain Preem's two Swedish refineries in a bet on growing need for lowcarbon biofuels, 4 market sources told Reuters. Varo has been broadening quick in Europe's refining and fuel trading recently. The company is backed by private equity giant Carlyle Group and the world's most significant trading house Vitol, which has actually enjoyed record revenues recently. Varo could purchase the Gothenburg and Lysekil plants from Corral Petroleum Holdings, which owns Preem, the sources stated. A Varo representative decreased to comment. Preem decreased to comment. The sources stated the value of the...

Oil & Gas

McEwen Copper seeks $2.5 bln for Argentina copper mine Los Azules

Canada's McEwen Copper is hunting for financiers to raise $2.5 billion to move on with building of Los Azules copper mine in Argentina, company Vice President Michael Meding stated in an interview. McEwen Copper, part of McEwen Mining, is among numerous international companies seeking to draw out copper in the mountains of northern Argentina, an area mostly untapped for the product due to the nation's hard capital controls and volatile economy. A reward program under President Javier Milei is now spurring activity, including from significant gamers such as miner BHP, after the nation's only copper mine closed in 2018. Los...

Oil & Gas

Vulcan in talks with producers to licence lithium technology

Australialisted Vulcan Energy is in talks with lithium companies to licence its filtering technology, tapping a brand-new profits source as the firm commercialises its renewableenergy job in Germany, the CEO stated on Tuesday. Vulcan started producing lithium hydroxide previously this month from its Rhine Valley operations utilizing adsorption direct lithium extraction (A-DLE) - utilizing geothermal heat to extract lithium from brine deposits. DLE is expected to reshape the lithium market by speeding the production procedure of the metal used in EV batteries and electronic devices to hours or days, compared with months or longer. Vulcan has signed up with the...

Oil & Gas

French and Benelux stocks-Factors to see

Below are companyrelated news and stories from France and Benelux which might have an influence on the area's markets or specific stocks. POLICE 29 Controversial COP29 deal reveals environment cooperation tearing at edges CARREFOUR Brazilian meatpackers have actually apparently stopped supplying meat to the group in Brazil after the retailer's worldwide CEO promised to keep South American meat off its shelves in France in solidarity with French farmers CTP Places EUR 500 mln green bond and EUR 200 mln tender deal SANOFI Strategies to change medical facility drug-discount program, WSJ reports THALES Two people knowledgeable about a corruption probe by...

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Dutch car-sharing firm adds Renault electric vehicles capable of powering the local grid

This week, MyWheels, a Dutch car-sharing company will add the first 500 Renault EVs that are grid-connected to its fleet. The technology is gaining traction in Europe and the number of cars capable of strengthening power grids has increased. The Vehicle-to Grid technology (V2G) allows electric cars to store energy and deliver it to the grid during times of high demand. It has been around for several years, but it was only recently that the technology became commercially viable. This was due to smart charging and batteries capable of sustaining intensive use. MyWheels' roll-out will be the biggest V2G car...

Fossil Fuels

Britain sells off last NatWest shares after crisis-era bailout

After a 60.59 billion pound ($45 billion) state-funded investment at the height the financial crisis in 2008, NatWest is now fully private. This ends a costly taxpayer-funded investment which reshaped both the lender and the industry. The British government has sold the remaining 1% of its bank shares, according to an announcement by the Treasury on Friday. It had previously sold small blocks over recent years. It held up to 38% as recently as December 20,23. In a press release, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves stated that "nearly 20 years ago, the government intervened to protect millions and businesses from the...

Fossil Fuels

Source: Norway will reject the call for a blanket ban on companies operating in Israeli-occupied territories by wealth funds.

A person familiar with the proceedings said that the Norwegian parliament is set to reject the campaigners' call to instruct its $1.8 trillion fund to boycott companies selling products or services in the occupied Palestinian Territories. The person stated that a majority of the finance committee in the Norwegian Parliament decided to exclude from the fund only those companies which can be connected with the violation international law, and not simply any company that has a presence in such areas. The International Court of Justice ruled last year that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory was illegal, and that it should...

Mining

Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources

US auto suppliers call for immediate action on China's rare earths restrictions

A group of auto suppliers from the United States has called for immediate action in response to China's restrictions on rare earths and minerals, as well as magnets. They warn that the issue can quickly disrupt auto part production. China, which controls 90% of the global processing capacity for rare Earths, used in everything from cars and fighter jets, to home appliances and household appliances, implemented restrictions in April, requiring exporters obtain licenses from Beijing. The new restrictions were imposed after the U.S. and China began a trade dispute following President Donald Trump's tariffs against Chinese imports. The Vehicle Suppliers...

Mineral Resources

How Trump's Trade War is Upending the Global Economy

The tariffs imposed by Donald Trump since his inauguration on January 20, 2017 have sent shockwaves through financial markets, and uncertainty has spread throughout the global economy. This timeline shows the major events: Trump imposes tariffs of 25% on Mexican imports, 10% on Chinese goods and most Canadian imports from February 1. He demands that they reduce the flow of illegal immigrants and fentanyl into the United States. Trump agrees to a 30-day suspension of his tariff threat against Mexico and Canada in exchange for concessions made on border security and criminal enforcement. The U.S. doesn't reach a similar deal...

Mineral Resources

NATO's Rutte assumes that the alliance will agree to a 5% spending target

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated on Monday that, he believes the alliance will agree to an overall defence spending target at 5% of their gross domestic product when they meet in The Hague for a summit next month. Rutte, speaking at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Dayton, said: "I expect that we will reach an agreement in The Hague on a target for a high defense spending of 5%." He added: "Let's assume that 5% of the total hard spending is a target. I won't say how it breaks down, but the amount will be north of 3%....

Mineral Resources

Top EU exports most at risk from Trump's new duties

U.S. president Donald Trump threatened again on Friday to intensify his trade war. He recommended a 50% tariff for goods from the European Union starting on June 1, sending European stock prices crashing. Eurostat reports that the United States will be the bloc's largest export partner by 2024, accounting for 20,6% of all exports. According to data, the most important export group of the EU to the U.S. in 2024 was pharmaceuticals, followed by motor cars, aircrafts, and related equipment. Germany was the third largest exporter to the United States of the EU, with 161 billion euro worth of goods....

Mineral Resources

French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch

Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. ARCELORMITTAL Bloomberg News, citing an individual familiar with the deal, reported that Aditya Mittal is the CEO of the steelmaker and will invest $1 billion into a group buyout of the Boston Celtics. EURONEXT It announced on Thursday that the stock exchange operator had placed convertible bonds until 2032, totaling 425 million euro ($481.14million), at a fixed coupon of 1.5% annually. The group of real estate investors announced Thursday that it had completed an bond buyback totaling 265 million euro....

Mineral Resources

India's imports of finished steel fell 11.3% in April due to slow China and Japan shipments

India's steel imports in April fell by 11.3% on an annual basis to 0.5 millions metric tons, following a drop in shipments to India from China and Japan. India, which is the second largest crude steel producer in the world, imposed in April a temporary tariff of 12% on certain steel imports. This was locally known as "a safeguard duty" to stop a rush of cheap shipments, primarily from China. The shipments of finished steel from China in April fell by 26.5% to 0.1 metric tons. The data revealed that imports from Japan fell to 85,600 tons, a 60% drop...

Mineral Resources

The European First-Quarter Corporate Profits are expected to rise 1.9% from the last estimate

The latest earnings estimates showed that the outlook for European corporate health is improving. According to data from LSEG, European companies will report an average increase of 1.9% for their first quarter earnings. This is better than the 0.4% analysts had predicted a week earlier. This improvement comes after 59.6% STOXX600 companies have already exceeded analyst expectations in the first quarter. LSEG data shows that at the time of Donald Trump's inauguration, in January, forecasts called for a 3.5% rise in earnings for the first quarter. However, this was reversed following Trump's announcements on tariffs in April, with expectations of...

Mineral Resources

Ford withdraws its guidance and warns that Trump's tariffs will cost it $1.5 billion

Ford Motors suspended its annual guidance Monday due to uncertainty surrounding U.S. president Donald Trump's new tariffs. The company said the levies could cost it about $1.5 billion before taxes and interest in adjusted earnings. The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker forecasted earnings before taxes, interest, and other expenses of between $7.0 billion and $8.5 billion by 2025. This forecast does not include tariffs. Ford's Chief Financial Officer Sherry house said that the company is on track to achieve this guidance, even if tariffs are not a factor. House stated, "We focus on managing what we can control." Ford executives have said...

Mineral Resources

Aperam anticipates a recovery of earnings in the second quarter

Aperam, a Luxembourg-based steel company, said on Wednesday that it expects to see its adjusted profits grow and its debt decline sequentially in its second quarter after a quarter affected by lower shipments from Brazil and price pressures. The group stated that the purchase of Universal Stainless in January should support this. Universal strengthens and stabilises our earnings It also means that generating cash to pay dividends and reduce leverage is now our top financial priority," CEO Timoteo Di Maulo said in a press release. Aperam reported adjusted earnings before taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), of 86 millions euros ($97.80)...

Mineral Resources

Tesla sales drop 28.2% in March as European car sales increase

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association's (ACEA) data, Tesla new car sales in Europe fell 28.2% from a month earlier. However, overall sales of battery-electric vehicles rose 23.6% during the same period. The data shows that total new car sales in Europe increased 2.8% during the month. This was boosted by double-digit increases in Britain and Spain. Why it's Important Tesla's drop in sales in Europe is a sign that some drivers are turning away from Elon Musk's brand of electric cars as the competition with China increases and others protest his political views. While European carmakers also face...

Mineral Resources

The study found that Trump's 25% tariffs on autos could cost US automakers up to $108 billion

Center for Automotive Research's new analysis shows that the 25% auto tariffs Donald Trump imposed on automakers in the U.S. at the beginning of April will result in an increase in costs of $108 billion by 2025. The study released by Ann Arbor, Michigan based organization on Thursday found that Detroit automakers Ford Motor, General Motors, and Stellantis (maker of Jeeps and RAM trucks) will face increased costs of approximately $42 billion. The study revealed that the Detroit Three would face tariffs on parts imported on average of almost $5,000 per car manufactured in the U.S. and on average $8,600...

Mineral Resources

Tata Steel cuts around 20% of Dutch workers

Tata Steel announced on Wednesday that it would cut 1,600 jobs from the Netherlands in order to improve profitability amid fierce competition with China and increasing U.S. tariffs. Tata will reduce its Dutch workforce by around 20%. This is primarily at the large IJmuiden steel plant, located on the coast to the west of Amsterdam. Tata stated that the reorganisation will primarily affect management and support staff at IJmuiden, with the goal of centralising the organisation and increasing its efficiency. The Dutch division suffered a loss totaling 556 million euro ($613,05 million) for the year ending March 31, 2024. This...