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MORNING BID EUROPE - No longer the Apple in their eye

Stella Qiu gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. The tech selloff is back with a vengeance. Cisco was the cause of this latest slump, as its margins were squeezed due to the rising?costs for memory chips. This frightened investors who had been expecting booming profits. AI is causing a lot of concern about the future of jobs. Overnight, trucking and logistics companies suffered a sharp drop in stock prices. This was not long after the software sector plummeted as Anthropic released Claude Cowork to fuel job concerns. Apple was not spared. Apple,...

Crude Oil

MORNING BID EUROPE - Jobs in the rearview and earnings next

Ankur Banerjee gives us a look at what the European and global markets will be like tomorrow. Investors will be focusing on a slate of European earnings after the U.S. jobs report surprised many with its strength. This has led to expectations that the Federal Reserve would likely keep rates steady at least until the second half. The future of policy is dependent on the labour market and consumer price trends. Investors are reducing their bets on a Fed move in the near future, and the focus is now shifted to Friday's inflation data. The U.S. employment data presented a...

Crude Oil

The dollar gained, but US stocks were little changed following the US jobs data.

Dollar and Treasury yields increased, but U.S. stock prices lost their early gains, trading nearly flat, on Wednesday, after data showed that the U.S. created "far more jobs" than expected in the month of January. This could make it harder for the Federal Reserve's to continue cutting rates. Labor Department data shows that 130,000 new workers were added to the nonfarm payrolls during January. This is well above the forecast of 70,000. November and December have been revised downwards. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3% in January from 4.4%, which was below the forecast of 4.4%. In an email, Eric...

Crude Oil

Stocks and dollar rise after US jobs data is beaten; AI concerns simmer beneath the surface

U.S. stocks futures and the dollar rose on Wednesday after data showed that the U.S. created more jobs in January than expected, making it harder for the Federal Reserve to 'keep cutting rates' this year. Labor Department data revealed that 130,000 new workers were added to the non-farm payrolls during January. This was well above expectations of a rise in 70,000. November and December have been revised downwards a little. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3% in January from 4.4%, which was below expectations for a reading 4.4%. Lindsay James, an investment strategist with Quilter, stated that this will likely...

Crude Oil

Olympic Freestyle Skiing - Anthony and Laffont qualify for the moguls finals; Kauf qualifies in second place

The final of the Olympic freestyle ski'moguls' was held on Tuesday. Perrine Laffont, the 2018 winner from France and Australia’s Jakara Anthony, the defending Olympic champion made it to the final. 2022 silver medallist Jaelin kauf had to compete in the second qualification round. Anthony, who had been sidelined for most of the season due to a collarbone fracture, combined technique, speed, and turns in order to win first place. She described her performance as "clean and pretty tidy". Laffont placed fourth after combining amazing jumps and rhythm around the moguls, which are closely spaced mounds. She displayed fine control...

Crude Oil

MORNING Bid EUROPE - Japan markets welcome the chance to have a long-staying PM

Wayne Cole gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. The markets like it when there is a political event. Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first woman Prime Minister, blew the competition out of the water in the election. This sparked a rally of 4.5% in the Nikkei index to "all-time" highs. The index actually broke 55,000, 56, 000, and 57,000 in a single go. The LDP's best ever result was a resounding victory as it took 316 out of 465 seats at the lower house of parliament. Takaichi, together with its coalition partner Japan Innovation...

Crude Oil

Morning bid Europe-Fed is under pressure as layoffs increase

Gregor Stuart Hunter gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. There is no report on jobs for Friday. The markets are worried about the?non farm payrolls being delayed - yet again - by another U.S. shutdown and the global selloff on Wall Street. Following fresh signs of economic strain in the labor market, traders are increasing?betting? that the Federal Reserve will ease policy at its meeting. According to a survey by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the number of layoffs in the U.S. increased in January, reaching the highest monthly level...

Oil & Gas

Norway Parliament rejects any challenge to LNG plant power supply

The Norwegian parliament rejected on Thursday a proposal that would have blocked Equinor from supplying electricity to its Hammerfest LNG plant via the region's electrical grid. This allowed for 'ongoing' development to continue. The Socialist Party, which had previously supported the LNG plant plan, withdrew their support, calling it "in fact unlawful". The opposition proposal was supported by 48 parliamentarians, while 54 members voted against it. The government approved a connection in 2023 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the plant located on Melkoeya Island off Hammerfest, and?extend the lifetime of the plant. Critics claim that connecting the "currently gas-driven"...

Crude Oil

Morning bid Europe-Skeptic investors haunted with tech sell-off

Stella Qiu gives us a look at what the future holds for European and Global markets on February 5th: Investors were confident that the major U.S. tech firms would deliver a strong quarter with rosy forecasts. They increased their exposures ahead of this earnings season. This has proven to be a costly error. Google Alphabet Released It delivered solid results, but also surprised analysts when it announced that capital expenditures would be between $175 billion and $185 billion in this year - far above Wall Street's expectations. This only fueled fears about the?explosion of artificial intelligence investment. The valuations of...

Crude Oil

The yen is on the market's radar with the 'Takaichi Trade', a turbo-charged morning bid in Europe.

Ankur Banerjee gives us a look at what the day will bring for the European and Global markets. And then we're back to screen-gazing, as the yen edged towards?160 a dollar, fueling intervention concerns, as the prospect a snap election in Japan next month turbocharges so-called "Takaichi trading". Investors are selling the Japanese government bonds and the yen because they fear low interest rates and additional stimulus for an economy that has one of the largest debt burdens of any developed country. After local media reported that Prime Minister Takaichi may call for general elections in February, the Nikkei index...

Crude Oil

Morning Bid Europe-Powell’s punch back shocks markets

Ankur Banerjee gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets Investors still can't wrap their minds around the latest escalation of the fight between U.S. president Donald Trump and the Federal Reserve. Chair Jerome Powell is fighting back against the "effort" to control interest rates and the Fed. The growing unrest in Iran where, according to an international rights group, more than 500 people were killed, underscored also the geopolitical issues that markets will be navigating by the beginning of 2026. This is why safe-haven assets are well supported. The markets opened trading on...

Crude Oil

MORNING BID EUROPE-Venezuela upheaval tests markets

Gregor Stuart Hunter gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. The dramatic weekend that saw U.S. forces capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has caused the oil market to be roiled as the first full trading week of 2019 begins, even though the global stock markets appear to have ignored geopolitical risk for the moment. Brent crude futures fluctuated between gains and losses, but ended the day at $60.49. Traders are assessing the impact of the U.S. military attack on Venezuela, the country with the largest reserves of oil in the world, on global...

Environment

Environment

The industry increases pressure on the EU to reduce energy prices

On Wednesday, top business leaders called on the European Union to take urgent action to lower energy prices. They said that this was crucial for European industries to be able to compete with the U.S. The message from the industries was timed to land just before EU leaders meet in a Belgian Castle on Thursday for a "retreat". They will discuss how Europe can compete with China and America economically. In a written declaration, CEOs from the city of Antwerp stated that the next five years would be the most challenging in Europe's industrial history. The outcome of the crisis...

Environment

EU wheat prices stabilized after the fall with USDA data as a focus

The European wheat futures rose on Tuesday, despite a near-two-week low. This was due to a pause in the euro’s gains against dollar and?adjustments made by traders ahead of the closely watched U.S. Department of Agriculture’s world crop report. The Paris-based Euronext Exchange reported that March milling grain was up 0.1% at 189.75 Euros ($225.95), a metric tonne, by 1633 GMT. It had touched its lowest level since January 28 on Monday. After a two session rally, the euro fell against the dollar. This was after Euronext had been pushed by a rally which made European grain exports more expensive....

Environment

BlackRock's rejection of the Texas law that blacklists 'woke' BlackRock may challenge anti-ESG legislation in other states

Analysts said that the decision by a Texas judge to strike down a'state law' blacklisting 'woke' financial firms such as BlackRock and HSBC who used environmental, governance, or social factors to make investment decisions, will likely lead to a broader movement to repeal alleged "anti-ESG laws" in other states. Texas lawmakers passed the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act 2021. This law requires state agencies and local governments to divest their shares from companies that refuse to invest in certain oil and gas companies. Around 14 other states have followed suit. Last week, a federal judge in Texas ruled that the law...

Mining

French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch

Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets or individual stocks in France and Benelux. ERAMET: The French mining group Eramet announced on Sunday that it had fired its Chief Executive Paulo Castellari due to disagreements over "operating techniques." CAPGEMINI: Capgemini, a French IT company, 'will sell its U.S.-based subsidiary Capgemini Government Solutions.' It announced this on Sunday after being pressed to explain a contract that the latter had signed with U.S. immigration enforcement agency ICE. EU/INDUSTRY: Pan-European market data: European Equities speed guide................... FTSE Eurotop 300?index.............................. DJ STOXX index................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Top 10 STOXX sectors................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Top 10 Eurotop...

Mineral Resources

Pollution

Von der Leyen: EU needs to simplify regulations in order to compete with US and China

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said that the EU must simplify its regulations to be more competitive with the United States and China. Over the last two decades, EU growth has consistently been lower than that of?the United States, with EU innovation and productivity, especially in fields such as AI, falling behind. "Let's take the U.S. as an example again." Von der Leyen stated on Wednesday that there is only one financial system and capital. "In Europe, we don't only have 27 different systems of financial supervision, each with their own supervisor. More than 300 trading...

Mineral Resources

Eramet shares drop as CFO's suspension deepens management crisis

Eramet shares fell on Monday after news broke that the French mining group's finance chief was temporarily suspended. This exacerbated a management crisis triggered by the removal of the former CEO a few days earlier. Eramet?said earlier in a press release that the suspension of Abel MartinsAlexandre pending an investigation of his management methods was not connected to the firing Paulo Castellari from the CEO position on February 1. Maxime Kogge, an analyst at Oddo BHF, said that the timing of this announcement was not ideal. "Eramet faces the risk of being downgraded by rating agencies because of its stressed...

Mineral Resources

From a 'perfect fit" to farewell, how a price-guarantee helped Pinault seal his Puma departure

Francois-Henri Pinault might not have gotten as much as he wanted last week when he sold the controlling stake of his family in Puma, to China's Anta, for $1.8 billion. According to two sources familiar with the matter, there was a "anti-embarrassment clause" in the agreement that sealed the deal. Artemis, Pinault's family company, initially reacted with a cold reception to Anta's cash offer of 35 euros per share for the 29% stake. However, one source said that the Hong Kong listed company agreed to pay more if an even higher offer was made. Hong Kong Stock Exchange filings reveal...

Climate Change

Campaign group: EU plans to limit EV sales by 2035

T&E, an advocacy group for clean transport, said that electric vehicles could make up as much as 85% of all new car sales by 2035. This is based on the EU's plans to lift its 'effective ban' on new combustion engine models. However, this % share may drop to as little as 50%. In December, under pressure from automakers, the European Commission proposed that CO2 emissions be reduced by 90% in 2035 compared to 2021, rather than zero, for all new cars and vans. T&E criticised the EU for its biggest retreat from green policies in years. The proposals would...

Mineral Resources

Trump wants to control Greenland, warns Greenland's PM Nielsen

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen warned Monday that despite the fact that Donald Trump, U.S. president has disclaimed military force, Washington is still attempting to gain control of the Arctic island. Trump increased his calls for U.S. sovereignty over Greenland in the beginning of the year. He cited national security concerns relating to Russia and China. Some European NATO allies defended Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland, and said Trump’s pressure threatened the NATO alliance. Since then, the U.S. President has backed away from threats of violence and claimed that he secured U.S. total access to Greenland through a NATO deal....

Mineral Resources

Eramet shares plunge after sudden CEO dismissal rattles investors

Eramet fell on the Paris Stock Exchange on Monday after the sudden firing of its CEO, just months into his term, caught investors off guard and raised concerns about governance at the nickel-manganese-lithium miner owned in part by the French state. Eramet announced on Sunday that it had fired Paulo Castellari because of disagreements over "operating methods". It temporarily reappointed Christel Bories as Chairwoman, a role she had handed to Castellari in May last year. Analysts were stunned by the decision, and credited Castellari for his early efforts in restructuring the group. The group had?faced declining profits and rising debt...

Mineral Resources

Mozambique President opens graphite-processing plant owned by Chinese

Mozambique President Daniel Chapo inaugurated a 200,000-metric-ton-per-year graphite-processing plant on Friday at a Chinese mine, as the country boosts its output of the battery mineral. The United States Geological Survey estimates that the annual global production of graphite is 1.6 millions metric tons. Mozambique, meanwhile, is one of world's leading producers of this mineral. It is an?excellent conductor of electricity and heat, and is used to make?batteries and mobile phones for electric cars. China is the largest graphite producer and miner in the world. Chapo said Mozambique was making the most of its resources, including a liquefied gas project worth...

Mineral Resources

Details of EU-India Trade Deal - Tariffs, Quotas and Market Access

India and the European Union concluded negotiations on the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement as both sides sought to soften the impact of the strained relations with the United States. The pact opens the way to?freer trade of goods and services' between India and the EU, which together represents a market with approximately 2 billion people. The following are the key details of this deal: BENEFITS TO EU EXPORTERS - Indian tariffs will 'fall to zero' on goods traded with EU immediately. Tariffs on 90% of EU exports will be reduced or eliminated EU firms can save up to $4.74 billion...

Mineral Resources

Stellantis production in Italy will reach a 71-year low by 2025, according to unions

The FIM Cisl trade union said that the production of Stellantis vehicles in Italy fell 20% annually in 2025, to 379.706 cars. This is a new concern for the future health of the Italian auto industry. The government of Prime Minister Giorgia Melons said that in 2023, it wanted Stellantis' Italian auto production to reach 1 million units a year. However, the automaker has continued to shrink. FIM Cisl's?Ferdinando Uliano, who presented the union report, said that in 2025 the production of passenger vehicles, excluding light commercial vehicle, will fall by 24.5% on an annual basis to 213,706 cars, the...

Mineral Resources

Thyssenkrupp will close electrical steel plants as Asian imports threaten additional 1,200 jobs

Thyssenkrupp’s steel unit announced that it would temporarily stop production of electrical steel, a material key to wind turbines and electricity grids. It blamed 'cheap imports' from Asia, which it warned were putting an additional '1,200 jobs in danger. According to industry sources, the move was previously unknown and highlights the struggles Europe's steel industry faces in the face global trade frictions which have forced Chinese competitors to sell surplus capacity on the continent at a lower price, even by a quarter. Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, Europe's second largest steelmaker, has already cut or outsourced 11,000 jobs as a response to...

Mineral Resources

European shares fall as Fed meeting dominates the news; EssilorLuxottica also falls

European shares closed flat on Tuesday as investors remained cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting. EssilorLuxottica also fell after Google announced plans to launch AI powered glasses. The STOXX 600, the pan-European index, closed at 578.11. The regional benchmarks showed mixed results, with Germany's DAX rising 0.5% and France’s CAC-40 falling 0.7%. Google announced that it will launch artificial intelligence-enabled eyewear in 2026, with Warby Parker. Other luxury stocks were also affected by the news, including Kering, LVMH and LVMH Group, which declined 2% and 1.40% respectively. Sector losses were led by the broader luxury index, which...

Mineral Resources

France continues to oppose nationalisation of ArcelorMittal sites

It said that the French government would continue to oppose any plans to nationalise French steelmaker ArcelorMittal's sites, as its workers are at risk of losing their jobs due to the tough market conditions. After the French lower chamber of parliament approved a motion to nationalize the sites, Finance Minister Roland Lescure issued a statement reiterating the government's goal to avoid any form of nationalisation. La France Insoumise, a far-left party, has put forward the motion that the French Senate will consider. The government has consistently opposed the motion. The bill was passed late Thursday night by 127 votes to...