Newsquawk Daily European Equity Opening News - 17th December 2025

ASIA

APAC stocks were indecisive with the region lacking conviction following the uninspiring lead from Wall Street where price action was choppy as participants digested a deluge of mixed data releases. ASX 200 was subdued in the absence of bullish drivers and as gains in the mining, materials and resources sectors were offset by weakness in energy, defensives and financials. Nikkei 225 swung between gains and losses amid a choppy currency and as participants digested the better-than-expected Japanese machinery orders and exports data, but with upside limited as an anticipated BoJ rate hike looms. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp initially traded indecisively in a narrow range with little fresh macro catalysts from China, and after the PBoC drained liquidity in its open market operations. The bourses later climbed to session highs.

EUROPEAN CLOSES

CLOSES: Euro Stoxx 50 -0.58% at 5,719, Dax 40 -0.59% at 24,087, FTSE 100 -0.68% at 9,685, CAC 40 -0.23% at 8,106, FTSE MIB -0.29% at 43,990, IBEX 35 -0.70% at 16,922, PSI -0.16% at 8,062, SMI +0.10% at 13,050, AEX -1.12% at 935

SECTORS: Consumer Disc 0.51%, Materials 0.15%, Financials 0.03%, Consumer Stpl -0.12%, Utilities -0.37%, Telecoms -0.42%, Healthcare -0.65%, Industrials -0.85%, IT -1.47%, Energy -2.34%

FTSE 100

GSK (GSK LN) - Exdensur (Depemokimab) was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of severe asthma. (GSK)

Pearson (PSON LN) - Co. has been hit with a GBP 2mln fine relating to inconsistencies in exam marking, reports The Times. (The Times)

UK Defence Spending - UK PM Starmer pushes back on delayed defence spending plan and has asked military chiefs to rework aspects of the defence investment plan, according to FT. (FT)

OTHER UK COMPANIES

BROKER MOVES

Glencore (GLEN LN) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Berenberg

DAX

EU Defence - According to the FT, Germany is set to approve EUR 50bln in military purchases. (FT)

OTHER GERMAN COMPANIES

Cecenomy (CEC GY) - FY (EUR): Revenue 23.1bln (exp. 23bln, prev. 22.4bln Y/Y). Notes that outlook was fulfilled and was slightly exceeded. Expects the transaction with JD.com to complete in H1’26. Guides initial FY26 Adj. EBIT 500mln (exp. 457mln). (Cecenomy)

Thyssenkrupp Nucera (NCH2 GY) - FY (EUR): Sales 845mln (prev. 862mln Y/Y), EBIT 2mln (prev. -14mln Y/Y). Co. guides initial FY26 order intake of EUR 350-900mln (prev. 348mln Y/Y) and sales forecast between 500-600mln (prev. 845mln Y/Y). (Thyssenkrupp Nucera)

BROKER MOVES

CAC

Airbus (AIR FP) - Co. has been awarded a USD 324mln US army contract for UH-72 Lakota logistics support and engineering services. (Newswires)

Pernod Ricard (RI FP) - Pernod Ricard and Trinchero enter into a definitive agreement for the sale of Mumm Napa sparkling wines. (Pernod Ricard)

Sanofi (SAN FP) - Co.’s Efdorlprin Alfa earns orphan designation in the EU for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency-related emphysema. Co. also plans to present the data at a forthcoming medical meeting and engage with global regulatory authorities on the appropriate next steps. Efdorlprin Alfa is currently in clinical development, and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority. (Newswires)

OTHER FRENCH COMPANIES

BROKER MOVES

PAN EUROPE

AB InBev (ABI BB) - AB InBev reports on the progress of its share buyback program announced on 30 October 2025. (Newswires)

Akzo Nobel (AKZA NA) - Co. extends Chinese marine coatings partnership to accelerate transition to sustainable shipping. (Akzo Nobel)

Ferrari (RACE IM) - Ferrari says completion of the multi-year share buyback program announced in 2022, and announcement of the first tranche of the new multi-year share buyback program. (Ferrari)

EU-China Trade - French President Macron called for urgent rebalancing of EU-China relations, via FT OPED. Further added that in order to finance the investment we need, Europe must leverage its pool of around EUR 30tln in savings. Additionally, he added that the EU must stay open for China to invest in sectors where it is a leader, but China must address its internal imbalances. (FT)

Stellantis (STLAP FP/STLAM IM) - Co. says EU proposal on combustion engine ban does not meaningfully address the issues that the industry is facing right now. (Newswires)

US-EU - US threatens to retaliate against EU Cos. over digital tax; US says it will use 'every tool' to counter EU digital tax, and US may consider fees and foreign services restrictions. SAP (SAP GY), Siemens (SIE GY), Accenture (ACN), Spotify (SPOT), DHL (DHL GY), Capgemini (CAP FP), Amadeus (AMS SM), Publicis (PUB FP), and Mistral among firms cited. (Newswires)

BROKER MOVES

SMI

OTHER SWISS COMPANIES

DKSH (DKSH SW) - Co. has signed an agreement to acquire Biomedic; exp. to close in Q1’26, no terms disclosed. (DKSH)

Galderma (GALD SW) - Co. released new data that confirms that Nemluvio (nemolizumab) can rapidly relieve itch and improve sleep in as early as two days in both atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis. (Galderma)

BROKER MOVES

SCANDINAVIA

EQT (EQT SS) - Co. completed the sale of shares in Enity Holding (ENITY SS), receiving gross proceeds of SEK 565mln. (EQT)

Kongsberg (KOG NO) - Co. acquires Zone 5 and enters development and high-volume production of affordable missiles; terms were undisclosed. (Kongsberg)

Maersk (MAERSKB DC) - Saudi Ports Authority signs MoUs with Saudi Exports Development Authority and MSC, Maersk and CMA VGM to support exports. (Newswires)

BROKER MOVES

US

CLOSES: SPX -0.24% at 6,800, NDX +0.26% at 25,133, DJI -0.62% at 48,114, RUT -0.45% at 2,519

SECTORS: Energy -2.98%, Health -1.28%, Real Estate -0.95%, Financials -0.67%, Industrials -0.58%, Consumer Staples -0.44%, Utilities -0.36%, Materials -0.22%, Communication Services +0.19%, Consumer Discretionary +0.31%, Technology +0.32%.

NVIDIA (NVDA) - US House China Panel wrote a letter to US Commerce Secretary Lutnick, stating that NVIDIA (NVDA) H200 chip sales to China risk US' advantage. (Newswires)

Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) - Co. to recommend Netflix (NFLX) deal and reject Paramount's (PSKY) bid as soon as Wednesday, WSJ reports. Elsewhere, Kushner's Affinity withdraws from Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) takeover battle, according to Bloomberg. (WSJ / Bloomberg)

17 Dec 2025 - 06:58- Research Sheet- Source: Newsquawk