French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch
Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. CREDIT AGICOLE: French bank Credit Agricole announced on Wednesday that it had signed a long term partnership agreement with Belgium’s Crelan Group, and would be acquiring a 9.9% share in the company. ELIOR GROUP - French food caterer Elior lowered on Wednesday its organic revenue growth forecast for 2025, citing a priority on profitability.
Spot prices drop on increasing wind and nuclear power generation
The wholesale European spot electricity price fell on Wednesday, as wind speeds in the region were expected to increase and France increased nuclear supply. Demand expectations were not changed. LSEG's analysis showed that solar generation is declining, but lignite availability is improving. By 840 GMT on Thursday, the German baseload electricity price was 62.9 euros (71.22 dollars) per megawatt-hour (MWh), down 15.1% compared to Tuesday's closing price.
Prices of gas in Europe rise due to tighter supply
Due to maintenance issues and limited supply, wholesale gas prices in the Netherlands and Britain rose on Tuesday morning. LSEG data shows that the benchmark Dutch front-month contract rose 0.99 euros to 36.19 Euro per megawatt hour at 0830 GMT. The British contract for the month of June increased by 2.20 pence, to 86.61 cents per therm. Oleh Scrynyk, LSEG analyst, predicted that both British and Dutch gas prices would be on the rise…
French suppliers tighten up on German demand for higher wind speeds
On Tuesday, the European spot electricity market showed a mixed picture. Germany's supply was boosted by increased wind power production, but French nuclear and renewables were tighter. LSEG analyst Florine Engl observed that decreasing demand in the region was a bearish factor, while on the other side, the lower supply of solar and lignite were bullish factors influencing market. By 0740 GMT on Wednesday…
Germany: Europeans should pressurize Russia with sanctions
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced late Monday that European leaders had agreed to increase the pressure on Russia via sanctions after U.S. president Donald Trump briefed on his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Monday, the European Union leaders, France, Italy and Germany, as well as the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zalenskiy in an effort to bring about a solution.
German farmers increase winter wheat and rapeseed planting for 2025 crop
Germany's National Statistics Agency estimated that the area of winter wheat in Germany for 2025 harvest had increased 12.2% from last season to 2.78 millions hectares. It was only slightly different from the first estimate of 12.3% in December, after good weather conditions during autumn allowed farmers to plant their intended crops. This was in contrast with autumn 2023 when rains hindered the sowing of crops for 2024, particularly wheat.
The region has seen a decline in renewable output
German and French spot rates were not traded on Friday morning, but the falling supply of renewables is expected to exceed the decline in demand for Monday's prices. LSEG data shows that the German and French baseload power contracts for Monday were not traded by 1111 GMT. LSEG analyst Florine Engl stated that the residual load will increase on Monday in all regions except Austria. The nuclear availability is also expected to decrease in France.
How can the EU ban Russian Gas?
Next month, the European Commission will propose legal measures that will phase out EU gas imports from Russia by 2027 and prohibit spot contracts with Russia before the end this year. This is how it could work. How will the EU ban Russian gas? Legally, sanctions are the easiest way for the EU's to prohibit Russian gas and liquefied imports. They require the unanimous approval of all 27 EU member states.
Spot prices increase on weaker renewable production
Early Thursday, European spot power prices increased as a drop in supply from wind and solar in Germany and The Netherlands was expected to outweigh the decline in demand and slightly higher French renewable output. At 0908 GMT, the French baseload electricity contract for Friday had increased by 28.6% and was now 18 euros per Megawatt Hour. The German equivalent contract has not been traded since it closed at 65.90 Euros/MWh on Tuesday.
Engie France reports marginal increase in first-quarter profits
The French utility Engie announced a marginal increase in earnings for the first quarter on Thursday. This was due to weaker hydropower conditions as well as lower electricity prices. The company, Europe’s largest gas network operator said that its earnings before interest, tax and nuclear power (EBIT) rose by 0.5% on an annual basis to 3.7 billion euro ($4.14 billion). The price of European gas and power has continued to drop after a peak in mid-February.
Spot prices are affected by the rising wind supply and lower demand
The European spot electricity prices for Wednesday are lower than the Tuesday price because wind power is expected to increase in the region, and demand is expected to fall. At 0928 GMT the German day-ahead price was 70.75 euro ($78.57), below Monday's closing price of 81.5 euros. LSEG data show that the French baseload price for the next day was 36 euros/MWh. This is a 22.7% decrease compared to Monday's spot result.
German wind power supply drops sharply, lifting spot prices
European spot electricity prices, for delivery on Tuesday, rose on Monday as German wind power is expected to drop by almost half while demand is expected to rise. LSEG data shows that the German baseload electricity for Tuesday at 0914 GMT was 81.50 Euros ($90.71 per megawatt-hour (MWh), up 48.2% compared to Friday's price for Monday delivery. Data showed that the equivalent French contract was 32 euros/MWh. The contract for delivery on Monday did not trade Friday.
Vietnam and Russia quickly agree to sign a nuclear power plant agreement
In a joint press release, Vietnam and Russia agreed to sign and negotiate agreements quickly on the construction of nuclear power plants in Vietnam. The statement was issued on Sunday, following a visit by To Lam to Moscow. Southeast Asia has resumed its plans to build nuclear power plants, which were suspended almost a decade earlier. This is part of the nation's efforts to increase its power generation capability to support its rapidly growing economy.
EDP Renovaveis Expects Core Recurring Profit in 2025
EDP Renovaveis, the world's fourth largest wind energy producer, said on Thursday it expects core recurring profit to grow 13% in 2025 on the back of a solid operational performance, despite a 24% drop in net income in the first quarter.The renewables arm of Portugal's EDP said earlier that its first-quarter net profit fell to 52 million euros ($59 million), despite a solid revenue increase. That…
Wind energy company EDPR expects its core recurring profits to rise 13% by 2025
EDP? EDP? Portugal's EDP, the renewables division of EDP, announced earlier that it had a net loss for its first quarter of 52 million euros ($59.9 million) despite an increase in revenue. This was slightly lower than the average of 54.8 million euros forecast by LSEG's analysts. EDPR reported that it had not booked any capital gains in the first quarter from the sale or wind and solar assets.
German prompt price falls amid weak demand
The wholesale price of German spot electricity dropped on Thursday due to the fact that France was celebrating a holiday and the weekend. France was largely closed for the commemoration of Nazi Germany's defeat in World War Two. This has withdrawn a sizeable amount of consumption from the market while solar supply increased across the region. LSEG analysts cited a number bearish factors in demand and supply…
Imports of German spot are expected to increase on Thursday
On Wednesday, the German spot electricity rate for Thursday increased as renewable supplies were seen to be decreasing and imports expected. Meanwhile, neighbouring countries celebrated Victory Day. German baseload day-ahead added 1.3%, to 97.75 Euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), by 840 GMT. The French baseload for Friday, which was the first working day following the Victory Day holiday weekend, was not traded with a range of bids and asks between 15 euros and 20 euros.
TurkStream gas pipeline may slow down EU-Russia decoupling
May 7 - While the European Commission has announced a revised plan to wean Europe off Russian energy completely by 2027, some parts of Europe have taken the opposite approach. The TurkStream pipeline is not only still operating, but has expanded its gas supply. Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, Russian gas exports have dropped dramatically. They went from more than 155 billion cubic meters (bcm), in 2021, to less than 40 bcm by 2024.
European Commission proposes 17th Russia sanctions package
EU diplomats confirmed on Tuesday that the European Commission has proposed to add more individuals and over one hundred vessels connected to Russia's Shadow Fleet to its 17th package against Moscow. One source said that the extension will continue until June of next year due to its importance for Japan. They said the proposal was "simple" and came sooner than expected. The proposal was not discussed informally with the member states in advance…
EU countries expect 'simple' 17th Russia sanctions package
EU diplomats say that the EU countries are not expecting any major restrictions to be added in the next package against Russia of sanctions, which will be shared by the Commission with the member states on Tuesday. They said the package proposal was earlier than expected and that member states had not been formally consulted on its contents in advance, as has been standard for Russian measures in the past.
