Europe's STOXX 600 closes on record high due to earnings boost. ECB shifts focus
Investors assessed corporate earnings and reports about a possible leadership change at the European Central Bank. All major regional benchmarks finished in positive territory. The pan-European Index closed 1.2% higher at 628.69. The defence sector rose 2.9%. BAE Systems added about 4%, after reporting an increase in operating profit that was better than expected, and as global demand increased its order backlog, which reached a record of 83.6 billion pounds ($113.50billion). Sector gains momentum after abrupt ending of peace talks between Ukraine & Russia.
China's biotech licensing boom will reach record levels in 2026, as pipelines swell
As global drugmakers cut costs before patents expire, they are increasing their search for China's experimental medicines. Industry analysts predict that licensing deals this year will reach a new record. According to Pharmcube, the value of such deals signed by companies within Greater China - including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan – rose tenfold from 2021, to an unprecedented $137.7 Billion. Mainland China is at the forefront of this search. Global drugmakers such as Novartis Merck and GSK signed major agreements in China last year.
Sources say that during Starmer's visit, Britain and China will revive the 'Golden Era business dialogue'
Three sources familiar with this initiative have confirmed that the British and Chinese governments will be aiming to revive "golden age" business dialogues when Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of Britain, visits Beijing next Monday. Top executives from both countries are 'invited' to participate. AstraZeneca is among the British companies that will join a restructured "UK-China Chief Executive Council" according to sources who are both Chinese as well as British. The original idea for the council came from then-Prime Minster Theresa May in 2018 and then-Premier Li Keqiang…
Wall Street Journal, December 23,
These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal has not verified these stories, and cannot vouch for the accuracy of their content. Trump's administration has suspended the leases for?five? large offshore wind farms that are currently under construction off of the U.S. East Coast due to what they called national security concerns. This sent shares in offshore wind companies plummeting. Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison personally guaranteed $40.4 billion to entice Warner Bros Discovery to stop selling its prized Hollywood assets.
VCI Germany expects the chemical industry to stagnate by 2026
VCI, the German chemicals lobby group, expects sales and orders to stagnate in 2019. This is due to high regulatory uncertainty, uncompetitive manufacturing costs and a long approval process. The ?association, which represents around 2,300 companies, said revenues in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry fell 1% to 220 billion euros ($256.26 billion) in 2025. "I don't believe that certain measures will have a significant effect in the?short term but if we don't start today…
Germany's VCI predicts a "difficult road" and a stagnant chemical industry in 2026
VCI, the German chemicals lobby, expects that orders and sales will stagnate by 2026 due to high regulatory uncertainty, uncompetitive?production costs, and slow approval process. The ?association, which represents around 1,900 companies, said revenues in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry fell 1% to 220 billion euros ($256.26 billion) in 2025. The German chemicals industry, which employs around half a million people, is under increasing pressure due to high production costs, bureaucratic burdens, and a stagnant economy. This pressure is compounded by U.S. import tariffs.
London's FTSE 100 recovers after a four-day decline; inflation data increases rate-cut bets
The FTSE 100 in London was little changed Wednesday after four sessions of falling prices. Gains in consumer staples and healthcare kept the market afloat while a slower inflation rate raised hopes for a rate cut in December. As of 12:40 GMT the blue-chip index had fallen 0.07%, while the midcap FTSE 250 was up 0.07%. The UK's inflation rate slowed for the first month since May. This is good news for the government ahead of the annual budget next week and increases the chances of a Bank of England rate cut.
The UK's FTSE100 is down as energy and industrial shares weigh
The FTSE 100 index in London dipped on Wednesday, after two sessions of record-high levels. Losses in energy and industrial shares weighed heavily on the market. Blue-chip index fell 0.1% to 9,886 as of 1214 GMT. However, it is still nearing record levels and within striking range of the 10,000 point. The mid-cap index FTSE 250 rose 0.1%. The market sentiment improved this week as investors hoped for a resolution to the U.S. Government shutdown. Investors expect that the U.S.
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. Aedifica: The healthcare real estate company Aedifica announced that its nine-month rental revenue rose by 8%, to 271.8 millions euros. It also raised the EPRA estimate for earnings per share in full-year to 5.10 euros. ASM INTERNATIONAL Semiconductor Equipment Maker ASM International reported Q3 revenues of 800 million euro with a net income of 384.1 millions euros. Orders totaled 636.8million euros.
Eni wants to build a biorefinery and recycling plant in Sicily
Eni, an Italian energy company, announced on Thursday that it has begun the environmental approval process for the transformation of its industrial site at Priolo in Sicily into a biorefinery, and a chemical recycler plant for plastics. The Italian energy ministry has recently approved the application for the project. It will be built on the site of Eni's decommissioned ethylene plant. Eni is implementing this move as part of its plan to revamp its chemical business.
Sources: Swiss gold refining plans add sparkle to Trump's trade deal
Two people with knowledge of the situation say that Switzerland wants to build a gold refinery or increase its processing capacity in the United States as part a plan to lower U.S. tariffs. Donald Trump imposed 39% tariffs on Swiss imports as a result of the U.S.-Swiss trade deficit on August 7, 2018. Switzerland had scrapped its industrial tariffs in January. The main reason for the goods trade deficit with Switzerland is due to Swiss exports, including gold and chemicals.
VCI: German chemical industry runs at its lowest capacity for more than 30 Years
The German Chemical Industry Association said Wednesday that its capacity utilization in the second quarter was at its lowest level for more than 30 year as sales and prices fell due to uncertainty surrounding U.S. Tariffs. VCI reported that the German chemical industry only operated at 72% of full capacity in the period April-June, which is the lowest level seen since 1991 and far below the level needed to break even. VCI said that pull-forward effects on business with the United States decreased throughout the period of April-June…
German chemical lobby VCI reports quarterly sales and production decline amid tariff uncertainty
The German chemical industry association reported on Wednesday that the second-quarter production, sales and prices had declined, citing uncertainty regarding U.S. tariff policies. VCI said that pull-forward effects on business with the United States decreased throughout the period of April-June, because exports were brought forward to prepare for tariffs on European goods. The overall production of the chemicals sector, including pharmaceuticals, fell by 3.8% from quarter to quarter. This is in contrast with the 6.7% quarterly increase between January and March.
Trump tariffs threaten India’s export advantage; key sectors prepare for impact
U.S. president Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Indian products on Wednesday, as well as an unspecified fine tied to energy and defense purchases from Russia. If enforced, this move could undermine India's competitiveness in exports and impact investor sentiment. India's surplus in trade with the U.S., its biggest export market, was 1.2% of GDP by 2024. Analysts warn that halving the surplus could reduce GDP by 25-40 basis points, undermining India’s narrative of a'safe-haven' in the face of a global recession.
Even as money flows in, tariffs and geopolitics are dragging down European IPOs
Advisors say that the Middle East and tariffs are scaring investors and European companies, even though volatility has subsided and money is flowing back into equity markets. The global economy was shook by President Donald Trump's April announcement of tariffs on imports from almost all U.S. partners and his subsequent U turn pause. The markets have recovered, even in Europe. VIX, Wall Street’s “fear gauge”, has dropped around 67% since the peak reached following Trump’s tariff announcement.
Even as money flows in, tariffs and geopolitics are dragging down European IPOs
Advisors say that the Middle East and tariffs are scaring investors and European companies who are considering their initial public offering, even though volatility has subsided and money is flowing back into equity markets. The global economy was shocked by President Donald Trump’s April announcement of tariffs on imports from almost all U.S. partners and his subsequent U.S.-style pause. Since then, markets have recovered, including in Europe. VIX, Wall Street’s “fear gauge”, has dropped around 67% since the peak reached following Trump’s tariff announcement.
Oman's sovereign wealth fund signs preliminary agreement with Algeria to invest in a fund
The Oman Investment Authority has signed a preliminary deal with the Algerian Finance Ministry for establishing an investment fund in the amount of 115 million Omani Riyals ($298.79 Million). According to an OIA statement, the fund announced by the sovereign wealth fund of the sultanate will focus on the mining, food and pharmaceutical industries. The agreement was signed during the official visit of Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said in the North African nation. During the visit, several agreements were signed.
US tech and retail stocks lead the rout following Trump's tariff blow
Apple, Walmart and Nike are among the U.S. megacap tech companies that led to a global meltdown after President Donald Trump announced new tariffs. The fears about a cost spike across many industries were heightened by these new tariffs. The tariffs threaten to disrupt the global trade order and upset businesses. This is a stark contrast to just a few short months ago, when the hopes for business-friendly policies from the Trump administration drove U.S. stock prices to record highs.
US Businesses brace themselves for more pain when Trump imposes reciprocal tariffs
The U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a number of reciprocal duties on trading partners, the latest of a long list of duties that have been imposed by him since he returned to the White House in early this year. From April 5, the U.S. is imposing a baseline 10% tariff on all imports into the country and will be increasing duties for several of its largest trading partners. Levies may be especially damaging to U.S. firms in sectors that have already been hit with duties. Following U.S.
US businesses prepare for more pain when 'Liberation Day" tariffs loom
Businesses all over the world are eagerly awaiting details about the new tariffs that President Donald Trump has imposed on his trading partners. This is the latest in an extensive series of duties that have been imposed by the U.S. since he returned to the White House at the beginning of this year. Trump is expected to announce the new duties at a ceremony on Wednesday at 4 pm Eastern Time (20:00 GMT), dubbed "Liberation Day". Administration officials say that Trump's tariffs are cumulative, and include previous rates. Following U.S.