Newsquawk Daily European Equity Opening News - 19th December 2025

ASIA

APAC stocks were mostly higher as the region took impetus from the positive handover from Wall Street, where the major indices gained following softer CPI data and strong Micron earnings, while the attention overnight turned to the BoJ, which unsurprisingly hiked rates for the first time since January. ASX 200 was underpinned by outperformance in tech and financials, but with gains capped as mining, resources and materials sat at the other end of the spectrum. Nikkei 225 rallied amid tech strength and with some banks supported as yields gained amid the widely-expected BoJ rate hike, in which the central bank raised its key rate by 25bps to 0.75%, which is the highest in 30 years. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp conformed to the upbeat mood amid tech strength, and after the PBoC continued to opt for a double-pronged liquidity operation, while it was also reported that TikTok signed a deal to sell its US entity to a joint venture controlled by American investors.

EUROPEAN CLOSES

CLOSES: Euro Stoxx 50 +1.16% at 5,747, Dax 40 +0.99% at 24,197, FTSE 100 +0.65% at 9,838, CAC 40 +0.80% at 8,151, FTSE MIB +0.82% at 44,463, IBEX 35 +1.15% at 17,133, PSI +0.71% at 8,128, SMI +0.80% at 13,132, AEX +1.12% at 940

SECTORS: Industrials 1.73%, IT 1.56%, Financials 1.05%, Consumer Disc 1.03%, Materials 0.98%, Telecoms 0.74%, Consumer Stpl 0.45%, Healthcare 0.18%, Energy 0.12%, Utilities 0.09%

FTSE 100

BP (BP/ LN) - According to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, incoming CEO O’Neill is going to be given a mandate to look at ‘all aspects of the business’, with emphasis in the US.. (Bloomberg)

UK Confidence - UK GfK Consumer Confidence (Dec) -17.0 vs. Exp. -18.0 (Prev. -19.0).

WPP (WPP LN) - The Co.’s CEO said they are working on restructuring the group in an attempt to turn it from a holding company into an operating company, according to FT. (FT)

OTHER UK COMPANIES

BROKER MOVES

DAX

Adidas (ADS GY) / Puma (PUM GY) - Nike shares tumbled 10.5% after-hours, despite reporting top- and bottom-line beats, but with sentiment hit as the Co. noted considerable challenges in China. See US section below for more details

RWE (RWE GY) - RWE and Indiana Michigan Power Company partner to support Indiana's growing electricity demand with long-term PPA for 200 MW project. In other news, RWE to sell Polish offshore wind development project to PGE. Closing exp. In Q1’26. (RWE)

OTHER GERMAN COMPANIES

Puma (PUM GY) - The Co. secured additional financing with a bridge loan of EUR 500mln and additional credit lines of EUR 108mln. Both facilities are designed to provide interim liquidity to refinance utilisations of existing EUR 1.2bln revolving credit facilities. Both loans have a 2-year maturity. (Puma)

BROKER MOVES

CAC

Airbus (AIR FP) - S&P revises Co. outlook to positive on steady free cash flow generation; ‘A’ Rating affirmed. Additionally, S&P also stated that the company is not materially exposed to US trade tariffs. (Newswires)

Kering (KER FP) - Co. announced the staged acquisition of Raselli Franco Group, a leading jewellery manufacturer; initial stake of EUR 115mln, worth 20%. Notes of a pathway to full ownership by 2032, and transaction is subject to regulatory approval. (Kering)

Renault (RNO FP) - Co. upgraded to grade ‘BBB’ credit rating by S&P Global Ratings. (Newswires)

Schneider Electric (SU FP) - Co. completed transaction to acquire remaining 35% stake in existing Indian JV. (Schneider Electric)

OTHER FRENCH COMPANIES

Ipsen (IPN FP) - Co.’s phase II Falkon trial did not meet its primary endpoint of reducing new Heterotopic ossification. (Newswires)

BROKER MOVES

PAN EUROPE

Fagron (FAGR BB) - Co. makes two strategic acquisitions in Malaysia/Singapore and Australia; no terms disclosed. (Fagron)

Nexi (NEXI IM) - Co. board resolved not to proceed with proposed transaction with TPF for its DBS Business Unit. (Newswires)

Stellantis (STLAM IM / STLAP FP) - Co. will cut production at its Mulhouse, France plant by 28% from January 19th to adapt to market demand. (Newswires)

UMG (UMG NA) - Co. and Splice to collaborate on the next generation of AI-powered music creation tools for artists. (UMG)

BROKER MOVES

SMI

OTHER SWISS COMPANIES

Clariant (CLN SW) - Co. announces the divestment of its business in Venezuela for USD 1.8mln. No impact on cash flow or EBITDA guidance for reclassification. CHF 236mln transaction adjustments to impact the income statement. Reclassification to reduce net profit and EPS for 2025. (Clariant)

BROKER MOVES

SCANDINAVIA

BROKER MOVES

US

CLOSES: SPX +0.79% at 6,775, NDX +1.51% at 25,019 , DJI +0.14% at 47,952, RUT +0.62% at 2,508

SECTORS: Energy -1.42%, Consumer Staples -0.68%, Real Estate -0.62%, Financials -0.17%, Materials -0.12%, Health +0.09%, Industrials +0.64%, Utilities +1.08%, Technology +1.41%, Communication Services +1.48%, Consumer Discretionary +1.78%.

Nike Inc (NKE) Q2 2026 (USD): EPS 0.53 (exp. 0.38), Revenue 12.43bln (exp. 12.23bln). Nike Brand Revenue 12.12bln (exp. 11.88bln). Greater China EBIT 191mln (exp. 335.3mln). Gross Margin 40.6% (exp. 40.6%). (Nike)

19 Dec 2025 - 06:57- Fixed IncomeData- Source: Newsquawk