Additional European Equity News

Acciona (ANA SM) – Co. and Nordex (NDASE SS) announce creation of a JV to develop competitively price hydrogen projects. (Newswires)

BNP Paribas (BNP FP) – Launched the first tranche of share buyback planned for 2023 for a maximum amount of EUR 2.5bln, intends to launch the other half in H2-2023. (Newswires)

Coloplast (COLOB DC) - Study shows significant improvement in bladder emptying with Coloplast's Luja compared to competitor catheter. (Coloplast)

EMIS Group plc (EMIS LN), UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) - UK regulators refer UnitedHealth-EMIS GBP 1.2bln merger for a Phase 2, in-depth investigation after remedies offered by UNH did not go far enough to mitigate the possible competition impact. (Newswires)

Novozymes (NOVOB DC)/ Chr. Hansen (CHR DC) - Combination between Novozymes and Chr. Hansen approved by Novozymes’ shareholders. (Globenewswire)

Ocado (OCDO LN) - Won a patent infringement suit which was brought by Autostore at the UK high court. (Newswires)

Rolls-Royce (RR/ LN) – McCabe to join later in 2023 as CFO, Kakoullis to remain as CFO and board member until at least end-August. Watson appointed as Civil Aerospace president and Riddle as N. American President/CEO. (Newswires)

Santander (SAN SM) - To confirm targets for 2023 at the AGM; double-digit revenue growth, ROTE>15%, cost/income ratio 44-45%, cost risk<1.2%. To say Co. added 1mln new customers in the first part of the year, lending and deposits expected to grow 4% and 6% respectively YY. To approve final cash dividend of EUR 0.0595/shr, +18% YY. (Newswires)

Sartorius (SRT GY) - To acquire Polypus, for a purchase price of circa. EUR 2.4bln. Expected to close in Q3. (Newswires)

UK Housing - UK Nationwide house price Y/Y (Mar) -3.1% vs. Exp. -2.2% (Prev. -1.1%); M/M (Mar) -0.8% vs. Exp. -0.3% (Prev. -0.5%). (Newswires)

Yara (YAR NO) – To develop and construct a low-carbon blue ammonia project, expected production capacity of 1.2-1.4mln/T. (Newswires)

DiaSorin (DIA IM) downgraded to Reduce from Hold at Kepler

easyJet (EZJ LN) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays

H&M (HMB SS) upgraded to Hold from Reduce at HSBC

IAG (IAG LN) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays

Wood Group (WG/ LN) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Berenberg

31 Mar 2023 - 07:07- EquitiesEconomic Commentary- Source: Newsquawk