Newsquawk Daily European Equity Opening News - 16th January 2026

APAC stocks traded mostly in the green, supported by strength in the tech sector after strong TSMC earnings lifted sentiment across the region. ASX 200 opened with slight gains and is on track for its biggest weekly advance in seven weeks, led by IT and financials. Positive US bank earnings from Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs also helped improve sentiment. Nikkei 225 traded middle-of-the-pack, chopping around 54,000 amid continued uncertainty surrounding the new opposition party. Additional pressure came from JPY strength after Bloomberg highlighted concerns about the economic impact of a weaker yen. KOSPI outperformed and is set for a third consecutive weekly gain, buoyed by the renewed AI-driven tech rally. TSMC’s results fed through to major Korean names, with Samsung (+3.1%) and LG Electronics (+4.0%) among the standout movers. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp initially posted gains of up to 0.5% but later pared back, with the indices slipping into negative territory.

Mitsubishi (8058 JT) - Co. is to buy Aethon for USD 5.2bln, Bloomberg reports. (Bloomberg)

CLOSES: Euro Stoxx 50 +0.60% at 6,041, Dax 40 +0.35% at 25,375, FTSE 100 +0.54% at 10,239, CAC 40 -0.21% at 8,313, FTSE MIB +0.44% at 45,850, IBEX 35 -0.30% at 17,643, PSI +0.40% at 8,602, SMI +0.22% at 13,495, AEX +1.43% at 1,011

SECTORS: IT 3.36%, Industrials 0.96%, Financials 0.85%, Materials 0.72%, Utilities 0.56%, Consumer Stpl 0.11%, Telecoms -0.23%, Energy -0.68%, Healthcare -1.01%, Consumer Disc -1.18%

BT (BT/ LN) - The Telegraph writes that Starlink provides cheaper broadband than peers such as BT, after recent price cuts. (The Telegraph)

HSBC Holdings (HSBA LN) - HSBC has begun a strategic review of its insurance business in Singapore as part of its global simplification, Bloomberg reports. The review covers HSBC Life Singapore and will consider all options for the insurance manufacturing business. No final decisions have yet been made. (Bloomberg)

OTHER UK COMPANIES

BROKER MOVES

Big Yellow Group (BYG LN) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Oddo Securities

Close Brothers (CBG LN) upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC

OTHER GERMAN COMPANIES

Kloeckner & Co. SE (KCO GY), Worthington Steel (WS) - Worthington Steel agreed to acquire Kloeckner & Co, valuing it at USD 2.4bln, offering EUR 11/shr. The transaction is being financed with cash and debt. The deal targets USD 150mln synergies by FY28, triples scale to USD 9.5bln revenue. The deal will require 65% acceptance, and is set to close in the H2 2026. (Kloeckner) Shares +25% in pre-market trade

Fraport (FRA GY) - Reports 63.2mln passengers in 2025, +2.6% Y/Y. (Fraport)

BROKER MOVES

OTHER FRENCH COMPANIES

Alstom (ALO FP) - Alstom to provide New Subway Train (NST) fleet for Toronto’s subway; agreement valued at EUR 1.4bln. (Alstom)

BROKER MOVES

Sanofi (SAN FP) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at UBS

KBC (KBC BB) - KBC completed the acquisition of 365.bank in Slovakia. The total consideration paid for the 98.45% stake in 365.bank is EUR 708mln. (KBC)

BROKER MOVES

OTHER SWISS COMPANIES

BROKER MOVES

Richemont (CFR SW) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Bank of America

Roche (ROG SW) upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman Sachs

Aker BP (AKRBP NO) - FY25 Net Production 420.1mboepd (prev. guided 410-425mboepd). (Aker BP)

Equinor (EQNR NO) - Co. wins ruling to resume US wind project halted by Trump, Bloomberg reports. (Bloomberg)

BROKER MOVES

Atlas Copco (ATCOA SS) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Nordea

Novo Nordisk (NOVOB DC) reiterated with Neutral at Bank of America; PT raised to DKK 400/shr (prev. DKK 340/shr)

CLOSES: SPX +0.26% at 6,944, NDX +0.32% at 25,547, DJI +0.60% at 49,442, RUT +0.86% at 2,675

SECTORS: Energy -0.91%, Health -0.58%, Communication Services -0.43%, Consumer Staples -0.03%, Materials +0.33%, Consumer Discretionary +0.41%, Financials +0.43%, Technology +0.50%, Real Estate +0.68%, Industrials +0.93%, Utilities +1.04%.

Ford (F), BYD (BYDDY) - Ford is in talks with BYD about supplying batteries for hybrid vehicles to Ford’s overseas factories, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. BYD is among several potential suppliers, with discussions ongoing, and no deal imminent. (Bloomberg)

J.B. Hunt (JBHT) - Shares fell 4.5% in extended trading after Q4 results beat estimates, though revenue declined, including Intermodal and Final Mile revenue. Q4 adj. EPS 1.90 (exp. 1.81), Q4 revenue USD 3.10bln (exp. 3.12bln); Intermodal revenue -3% Y/Y to USD 1.55bln, operating income +16% Y/Y to USD 135.5mln. the company noted momentum from its operations is driving customer trust and peak-season volumes. Execs said the freight market “feels fragile” entering 2026 as capacity exits truckload, but service levels remain exceptional and cost-to-serve continues to fall. JBHT expects only modest operating income growth in its Dedicated segment in 2026 due to later-than-expected new business wins, despite confidence in the pipeline. Q4 truck sales and better contract visibility support expectations that stronger momentum shifts into 2027, rather than fully materialising in 2026.