Newsquawk Daily European Equity Opening News - 8th December 2025

ASIA

APAC stocks were mixed following a lack of major macro drivers over the weekend and with markets tentative ahead of this week's risk events, while participants also digested data including the latest Chinese trade figures. ASX 200 was subdued amid somewhat mixed trade data from Australia's largest trading partner and as the RBA kick-started its 2-day policy meeting. Nikkei 225 traded indecisively following a slew of mixed data from Japan, including firmer-than-expected Labour Cash Earnings and disappointing revisions to Q3 GDP, while sentiment was also clouded by geopolitical tensions after Japan accused Chinese fighter jets of aiming military radar at Japan's Self-Defence Force jets. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp were mixed with the Hong Kong benchmark underperforming as gains in tech were overshadowed by losses in the big banks, while participants also digested the latest Chinese trade data, which showed a stronger-than-expected recovery in Exports but Imports disappointed.

EUROPEAN CLOSES

CLOSES:Euro Stoxx 50 +0.12% at 5,725, Dax 40 +0.66% at 24,039, FTSE 100 -0.45% at 9,667, CAC 40 -0.09% at 8,115, FTSE MIB -0.20% at 43,433, IBEX 35 -0.35% at 16,689, PSI -0.49% at 8,198, SMI +0.31% at 12,934, AEX -0.03% at 948

SECTORS: Consumer Disc 0.47%, Materials 0.37%, IT 0.33%, Healthcare 0.22%, Telecoms 0.19%, Industrials 0.15%, Consumer Stpl -0.14%, Financials -0.30%, Utilities -0.56%, Energy -1.37%

FTSE 100

Barclays (BARC LN) - The Co. is exploring a bid for British Wealth Manager, Evelyn, according to Reuters sources. (Reuters)

Glencore (GLEN LN) – Australia’s Mining and Energy Union welcomed the Fair Work Commission decision on Glencore’s Ulan underground mine. (Newswires)

Rio Tinto (RIO LN) – Co. announced the first Pilbara-made rail car built by Gemco in Karratha. (Newswires)

Shell (SHEL LN) – Co. has resumed gasoline sales to Indonesian retail stations following recent import restrictions reduced supply; a statement noted that gasoline will gradually be available from December 7, via Bloomberg. (Bloomberg)

Unilever (ULVR LN) – Ben & Jerry’s independent board chair says he has no plans to resign and says Unilever is trying to undermine the board. (Newswires)

UK Housing - Hamptons, which is one of the UK’s largest real estate agents, said that the London housing market will flatline for “at least” the next three years, citing Chancellor Reeves’ latest mansion tax and other measures announced in the budget. (The Times)

OTHER UK COMPANIES

BROKER MOVES

Admiral (ADM LN) downgraded to Underweight from Neutral at JPMorgan

Aviva (AV/ LN) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JPMorgan

Wizz Air (WIZZ LN) downgraded to Underperform from Neutral at BNP Paribas

DAX

Volkswagen (VOW3 GY) - CEO says the Co. plans to invest EUR 160bln by 2030. (Newswires)

OTHER GERMAN COMPANIES

BROKER MOVES

Bayer AG (BAYN GY) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan

Heidelberg Materials (HEI GY) downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at RBC

Lufthansa (LHA GY) upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at BNP Paribas

CAC

Airbus (AIR FP) - The Spanish union said Sofitec forged dates for several steps in the production process so plane parts would meet Airbus specifications, according to Bloomberg, citing a letter. (Bloomberg)

BNP Paribas (BNP FP) / Ageas Insurance (AGS BB) – BNP to sell its stake in AG insurance for EUR 1.9bln and formalise long-term partnership with Ageas. BNP Paribas Cardif and BNP Paribas Insurance Company own a 14.9% stake in Ageas, upon completion of the transaction. Co. will thereby strengthen Ageas' capacity for Growth while preserving its autonomy and independence. Ageas deal is also expected to be finalised in Q2’26 after obtaining regulatory approvals. Deal will also result in EUR 820mln net capital gain in 2026. (Newswires)

French Growth - French Finance Minister said that the economy will likely achieve at least 0.8% growth in 2025, which is slightly ahead of the government's previous 0.7% forecast; he explained that a very good Q3 means the country would need a a bad Q4 to fall below 0.8%, which he does not anticipate.

L’Oreal (OR FP) / Galderma (GALD SW) – Co. to reinforce its strategic investment in Galderma (GALD SW) with an additional 10% bringing its total participation to 20%. Closing expected by Q1’26, subject to approvals. Following the completion of the transaction, L’Oreal will consolidate its stake in Galderma under the equity method. Previously concluded shareholder undertaking between L’Oreal and SSCO will be dissolved. (Newswires)

OTHER FRENCH COMPANIES

BROKER MOVES

Sanofi (SAN FP) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JPMorgan

PAN EUROPE

Autos – EU Commission may announce a package to support the Auto industry on December 16, according to Reuters sources. (Reuters)

EU Banks - ECB's Schnabel says she is 'comfortable' on bets that next move will be a hike. (Newswires)

EU Energy – The FT writes that the EU is planning a strategic renovation to building cross-border energy grids. (FT)

BROKER MOVES

Ageas (AGS BB) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JPMorgan

Ferrari (RACE IM) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Morgan Stanley

SMI

UBS (UBSG SW) - Co. may cut a further 10,000 jobs by 2027, according to SonntagsBlick Reports. (SonntagsBlick)

OTHER SWISS COMPANIES

BROKER MOVES

Novartis (NOVN SW) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan

Roche Holding (ROG SW) upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JPMorgan

Sika (SIKA SW) downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at RBC

SCANDINAVIA

Genmab (GMAB DC) – Co. presents pivotal phase 3 data from Epcore FL-1 trial demonstrating clinical benefit of Epkinly (Epcoritamab-bysp) in combination with Rituximab and Lenalidomide (R2) in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. (Newswires)

BROKER MOVES

US

CLOSES: SPX +0.19% at 6,870, NDX +0.43% at 25,692, DJI +0.22% at 47,955, RUT -0.38% at 2,521

SECTORS: Utilities -0.98%, Energy -0.43%, Health -0.41%, Materials -0.39%, Industrials -0.28%, Consumer Staples -0.26%, Real Estate unchanged, Financials +0.03%, Consumer Discretionary +0.44%, Technology +0.45%, Communication Services +0.95%.

Alphabet (GOOG), Apple (AAPL) - US House lawmakers have demanded that Google and Apple detail their steps to remove mobile applications, like ICEBlock, that track federal immigration officers, Reuters reports. They argued these apps risk "jeopardising the safety of DHS personnel" and obstruct lawful enforcement, requesting a briefing by 12th December. (Reuters)

Boeing (BA) - Boeing Defense CEO stated that President Trump's plan for the US government to take equity stakes in strategic industries does not apply to major defense contractors; Parker asserted that large firms are expected to fund their own facility investments, noting the policy is more relevant to smaller supply chain companies. Separately, a NYSE notice suggests Boeing's planned acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems could close as early as Monday, 8th December, with Spirit's trading set to be suspended. While the deal remains subject to conditions, Boeing previously indicated it was aiming to complete the merger this year with its largest supplier. (Newswires)

Netflix (NFLX), Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) - US President Trump voiced potential antitrust concerns regarding Netflix's planned USD 72bln acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Trump cited the combined entity's potential market share as a "problem." His comments raise fears that regulators will oppose the merger, which faces a lengthy DoJ review. Bloomberg also reported that Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos met with US President Trump in November to discuss, among other things, the auction of Warner Bros. Discovery. Trump reportedly favoured the highest bidder, a position Sarandos agreed with while advocating for Netflix's bid and arguing it was not a monopoly. (Bloomberg)

Tesla (TSLA) - NHTSA opened a Preliminary Evaluation into Tesla vehicles using Full Self-Driving after 62 complaints, 4 media reports and 14 SGO reports alleging traffic violations, including entering intersections on red signals, wrong-way movements and improper lane use. The agency seeks information on FSD’s detection of road cues and adequacy of driver warnings. Separately, Tesla has released a lower-cost Model 3 variant in Europe for EUR 37,970 in Germany to boost sales and defend against Chinese and European rivals; deliveries are expected in Q1 2026. (Newswires)

08 Dec 2025 - 07:08- Fixed IncomeGeopolitical- Source: Newsquawk