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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...

Fossil Fuels

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

Moldova signs 30 million euro deal with France for energy efficiency

After meeting her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced that the French Development Agency and Moldova signed a deal worth 30 million euros ($32.5million) on Monday. The agreement aims to improve energy efficiency in the post-Soviet country. Sandu said at a joint press conference that the agreement with Agence Francaise de Developpement would help "reduce energy wastage, lower costs and increase our energy independence". The pro-European Moldovan government accused Russia of creating a fake energy crisis in order to destabilize the country before parliamentary elections. This came after Russian gas producer Gazprom halted exports of its product...

Oil & Gas

Wall Street Journal, March 3,

These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Shell is looking at the possibility of selling its chemical assets in Europe and America as part of a broader effort to focus the company on its most lucrative operations. Top executives from some of the largest U.S. Consulting firms meet with officials of the Trump Administration to defend their consulting agreements ahead of the deadline next week for government agencies justifying major consulting contracts. In a post on social media, U.S. president Donald Trump revealed the...

Electric Utilities

Acciona Energia reassures investors on U.S. exposure, asset sales

Acciona's top management stated on Friday that it expects to see little impact of President Donald Trump’s energy and trading policies. It also outlined plans for asset sales up to $4.68 billion. Acciona Energy, like other European green energy companies has faced investors' difficulties. Unease The U.S. Renewable Energy Market is changing dramatically under the Trump Administration. In a conference call with analysts on earnings for 2024, Chief Executive Rafael Mateo said that "our exposure to the U.S. Energy Policy Volatility is very limited." Acciona had already acquired the necessary equipment in advance and secured tax incentives, he said at...

Oil & Gas

The core profit of Vallourec drops due to lower tube prices in North America

France's Vallourec announced a 24% decline in its core profit for the fourth quarter on Thursday. It cited lower average selling prices for its steel tubes, its primary market, in North America. Vallourec makes tubings for oil and gas markets, low-carbon energies and industrial markets. Its operating earnings before interest taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), fell to 214 millions euros ($224) in the fourth quarter of 2024. This was due to a 27% decline in North American tubes. In the fourth quarter, around 92% (globally) of Vallourec’s total revenues came from the tubes business. In a conference call with journalists,...

Fossil Fuels

Engie's Net Operating Profit for 2024 is down 6.2%

The French utility Engie reported a 6.2% drop in its operating profit for 2024, excluding nuclear, on Thursday. This was due to the decline in gas prices in France, an impact of a new energy tax and a reduction in the use of gas-fired electricity plants in Europe. The company that sells and trades gas and electricity reported earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) excluding nuclear at 8.9 billion euro ($9.32 billion), which is down from 9.5 million euros by the end of 2023. The European gas price fell throughout the year due to mild temperatures and a strong renewable...

Renewable Energy Equipment

Swiss stocks: Factors to be on the lookout for February 27

Here are the key factors that could affect Swiss stocks Thursday: CLARIANT AG TotalEnergie has been accused of violating the 2020 Competition Law. The company says it denies these allegations. MEYER BURGER TECHNOLOGY AGR The bondholders have approved the changes to the convertible bonds that mature in 2027 or 2029, to inject new capital into business. FEINTOOL HOLDINGS AG The company did not provide any guidance for the year 2025. It cited continued low visibility in Europe. KUDELSKI - The company plans to eliminate 160 jobs as part of its restructuring in 2025. BUSINESS STATEMENTS SULZER AG: The company reported...

Fossil Fuels

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. EUROPEAN CAR SALE/RENAULT: According to industry data released on Tuesday, new car sales in Europe fell by 2.1% during January. This was due to a decline in petrol and diesel sales and a rise in the number of fully electric and hybrid-electric cars registered in Europe's main markets. CLARIANE expects organic revenue growth of around +5% in 2025. FRANCE/MACRON/TRUMP/UKRAINE U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron displayed stark differences on Monday in their approach to Ukraine, exposing a...

Fossil Fuels

After Trump's halt to funding, Air Liquide may only pursue two of the six US hydrogen hubs.

Air Liquide, a French company, said that after Donald Trump frozen funding for clean energy projects in the U.S. Department of Energy's (DoE), only two of six hydrogen projects it had been awarded by the DoE might be implemented. Air Liquide has been selected as a partner in 2023 for six clean hydrogen hubs that are planned by the DoE. The DoE was going to allocate $7 billion under the bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by the former President Joe Biden. However, Trump has placed holds on tens of billions of dollars in congressionally-approved spending, including those from the bipartisan law...

Oil & Gas

Caterer Compass' first-quarter revenue beats expectations

Compass announced a 9.2% organic revenue increase in the first quarter, beating market expectations. The British catering group was able to benefit from strong demand for its canteens across North America and Europe. The largest food catering company in the world, which provides services to offices, hospitals, and universities on about 30 markets, has maintained its outlook for this year. The London-listed company has benefited from global companies requiring their employees to return to the office, which in turn boosts canteen spending. Employees who are cost-conscious often prefer to eat at home to more expensive external options. Karl Green, an...

Fossil Fuels

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. BOUYGUES: Amazon announced Bouygues Group & AWS have signed a strategic alliance to accelerate digitalization across Bouygues Group operations. Credit AGRICOle The second largest listed bank in France announced a 27% increase in profits, exceeding quarterly earnings expectations. THALES: Thales Alenia Space - a joint venture between Thales & Leonardo - announced that it had signed a contract for the development of an airlock module by Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in the Emirates. TOTALENERGIES: Lebanon's President expressed his hope...

Oil & Gas Exploration

The President of Lebanon says that he hopes TotalEnergies resumes oil and gas exploration as soon as possible

According to a press release from the president's offices, Lebanon President Joseph Aoun told Qatari Premier Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Tuesday that he hoped TotalEnergies would soon resume oil exploration off the coasts of Lebanon. In 2023, the state-owned QatarEnergy will join France's TotalEnergies (ENI.MI), and Italy's Eni in a consortium of three to search for oil and natural gas in two marine blocks off Lebanon's coast. Two sources who were directly involved in the matter said that no hydrocarbons had been found after the exploratory drilling offshore in 2023. TotalEnergies didn't respond to a comment request...

Power Markets

Nuclear Power

EDF receives a preferential loan from France for six nuclear reactors

The office of President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that France had agreed to provide state-owned EDF a subsidised loan covering at least 50% of the construction costs for six nuclear reactors. This is a significant step in France's plan to replace its ageing nuclear fleet. The statement stated that the finalisation of the negotiations between EDF, the state and financing is expected in the "coming weeks" before they are sent to the European Commission to be approved. A financing agreement would be a significant step forward for one of the biggest public projects undertaken in recent years. Macron announced...

Environment

The roofs of La Reunion are blown off by Cyclone Garance, which has hit the French island.

On Friday, Cyclone Garance hit the French overseas territory La Reunion at top winds speeds of 155 km/h (96mph), destroying roofs and preventing residents from accessing drinking water and electricity. Patrice Latron said that there had been no deaths reported on the island. The cyclone hit land in the north of Madagascar, an island located in the Indian Ocean. Meteo France, the weather agency, said that it left the southwest part of the island a few hours later. Prefecture officials said that 180,000 households, or 42% of customers with the electric utility, had lost electricity and that nearly 10% did...

Coal

G20 Finance Chiefs' Meetings marred by absences and disputes

Some finance ministers did not attend a Group of 20 meeting in South Africa, while other high-ranking officials cut short their trips to the event marred by disagreements over climate change, debt, and inequality. It has never been easy to agree on a statement for a group that includes China and Russia, as well as the European Union, the United States, and other countries. The differences between the countries are more pronounced than ever before, and some of the finance ministers did not attend because they were preoccupied with their domestic politics. The finance ministers of many of G20's largest...

Mining

Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources

Stellantis' Elkann: European carmakers should avoid the defence industry

Stellantis' chairman said that the European automotive industry doesn't need to switch to defence production. He also confirmed the group will appoint its new CEO by the end of the first quarter of the year. Adolfo Urso, Italy's Minister of Industry, said that Rome is preparing an Industrial Plan to foster connections between the automotive, aerospace and defence sectors. The plan will be revealed in June. Stellantis chairman John Elkann told the Italian parliament that the U.S.A. and China had both strong automotive and defence industries. Therefore, there was no need to choose between them. Elkann's multinational group, which includes...

Mineral Resources

Stocks of arms companies soar after the German parties' defense sea change

After reports that the next likely government in Germany was considering a major fiscal overhaul for Europe's largest economy, Europe's defense stocks surged on Monday. Shares of defence contractors such as Thyssenkrupp Hensoldt Renk Rheinmetall BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Hensoldt rose by double-digits percentages after news broke that the conservatives, who won the elections, and the Social Democrats, centre-left, were considering debt-financed infrastructure and defence funds worth under one trillion euros. No party has confirmed officially that a special defence fund worth 400 billion euro ($417 billion), and infrastructure funds worth up to 500 billion euro, which would total 20%...

Mineral Resources

Trump orders new tariff investigation into US lumber imports

The U.S. president Donald Trump ordered on Saturday a new investigation into trade that could add more tariffs to imported lumber. This would be in addition to the existing duties on Canadian softwood timber and 25% tariffs due next week on all Canadian and Mexican products. In his third new investigation in a single week, Trump has signed a memorandum ordering Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick that he initiate a national-security investigation into U.S. Lumber Imports under Section 223 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act. Trump used the same trade law to impose tariffs against global imports of steel and aluminum....

Mineral Resources

Document shows that the Paris prosecutor has dropped his case against Apple regarding Congo minerals.

According to a document seen on Thursday, French prosecutors closed the case brought by Democratic Republic of Congo against Apple subsidiaries for using conflict minerals in their supply chain. In December, Apple's lawyers confirmed that the Congo had filed criminal complaints in France and Belgium against Apple subsidiaries. Apple strongly denied the allegations at the time and told its suppliers not to use minerals sourced from Congo or Rwanda. The Paris prosecutor's Office, in a document dated February 18 and seen by us, said that allegations of money laundering and deceptive practices were "not well-founded". It closed the case and...

Mineral Resources

France's Industry Minister says that Europe's steel sector needs more protection

Marc Ferracci, French Industry Minister, said that the European steel industry is in trouble and it's important to protect its ailing sector. The current safeguards on steel imports are not adequate and do not adapt to today's market. Ferracci said, "The European industry, and the steel sector, need protection. This means, in the short-term, strengthening safeguard measures," at an event for the European steel industry in Paris. He said that European steel plants would close if they did not take action to combat the heavily subsided imports from China, and the looming U.S. Tariffs. The European Commission is examining whether...

Mineral Resources

European car sales fall in January, as combustion engine sales declines outweigh electric vehicle gains

Data from the industry showed that new car sales in Europe fell by 2.1% in January, as an increase in registrations of fully electric and hybrid electric cars in its major markets did not compensate for falling sales of petrol and diesel, according to Tuesday's data. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association's (ACEA) data showed that overall sales in France and Italy were down compared to last year. Only Spain recorded an increase year-on year among the top-selling nations. Why it's important After discussions with automakers and other interest groups, the EU executive will announce its plans for the auto sector...

Mineral Resources

Trump and Macron discuss Ukraine Peace Prospects at White House

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that the United States was close to a mineral deal with Ukraine. He and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the prospects of ending the Ukraine conflict despite their stark differences in how to proceed. In response to reporters' questions, Trump said that the much-anticipated revenue-sharing deal with Ukraine was "very close." He and Macron were meeting in the Oval Office. He suggested that he may meet Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to seal the deal later this week or in the next week. Zelenskiy may sign the agreement this week or next, according to Trump....

Mineral Resources

Rheinmetall converts German factories for defence equipment

Rheinmetall, Europe’s leading ammunition manufacturer, plans to convert two of its German automotive plants to make primarily defence equipment. This will highlight the impact of a surge in expected spending in the area amid U.S. concerns over the Ukraine War. Last week, the EU's political leaders were gathered at the Munich Security Conference to discuss their own defence strategy. The defence expansion of Rheinmetall affects its Berlin and Neuss factories, where it currently manufactures automotive parts. This business has been challenged as German carmakers struggle with high costs and foreign competition. According to the plans that are still being finalised,...

Mineral Resources

Paulo Castellari named as the next CEO of French mining company Eramet

Paulo Castellari, the next CEO of French mining company Eramet, was announced as its nominee on Thursday after Christel Bories decided to step down. Eramet announced that Castellari would assume the CEO role on May 27 following a vote during the annual shareholders meeting. Bories will continue to be the Group's chairwoman. Castellari, born in 1970, is a dual Brazilian-Italian citizen with over 30 years of experience in the mining and metals industries, as well as in fertilizers and energy in South and North America as well as Europe and Africa. He worked for Anglo American from 2003 until 2015,...

Mineral Resources

Eramet's Bories to step down as CEO, stay on as chair

Christel Bories will step down as chief executive of French mining group Eramet in May while staying chairwoman, the company stated on Tuesday. Bories, CEO given that 2017, has supervised a shift in Eramet's. technique towards minerals utilized for electrical lorry batteries,. especially by establishing a lithium mine in Argentina that began. production at the end of in 2015. Eramet anticipates to reveal Bories' follower as CEO by the. end of the very first quarter, consequently separating the president. and chairperson roles, it stated in a statement. Eramet shares fell more than 2% in opening trade following. the statement. The...

Mineral Resources

European vehicle sales up 0.9% in 2024, Renault surpasses Stellantis in Dec, ACEA states

New automobile sales in Europe were up by 0.9% in 2024, led by doubledigit development in hybrid vehicle registrations, which surpassed gas for a fourth consecutive month in December, market information revealed on Tuesday. Renault's market share in the continent overtook Stellantis' for the very first month because the Franco-Italian group was created in January 2021, information by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) revealed. WHY IT is necessary The European automobile market is undergoing a complex EV transition, as EV sales growth disappoints and carmakers oppose procedures to encourage consumers to abandon combustion engines, such as CO2 emission rules...

Mineral Resources

Societe Generale plans partial go back to gold trading, sources say

Societe Generale , France's thirdbiggest noted bank, is planning a. partial return to gold trading after quitting the bullion. market in 2019, two sources with knowledge of the matter told. Reuters. Societe Generale resigned as a market maker for gold at the. London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) in 2019 as it scaled down. non-prescription (OTC) commodities trading, where offers are done. bilaterally between banks and brokers. The bank prepares to focus on the trading of gold derivatives. just, the sources said, including that it has no strategies to work with a. large team or to end up being the LBMA...