Newsquawk Daily European Equity Opening News - 22nd June 2026

ASIA

APAC stocks traded mixed with price action choppy following the recent conflicting headlines concerning US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland, as the Iranian delegation was said to have walked out of talks following Trump's renewed threats to resume bombing them if a deal is not reached and if they don't stop their proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble. However, the reports that gradually followed were more encouraging as mediators stated that talks were conducted in a positive, constructive atmosphere and technical talks are to continue for the remainder of the week, with the US and Iran agreeing to a de-confliction cell over Lebanon. Furthermore, the parties agreed to establish high-level committee to provide political oversight on mediation and on a roadmap to reach final deal within 60 days, while Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi confirmed that mediation delivered major progress to end the Lebanon war, as well as stated that oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade is lifted, frozen assets released, and that a major reconstruction and development plan was launched for Iran. ASX 200 struggled for direction as strength in gold miners and financials was offset by weakness in tech, energy and defensives. Nikkei 225 extended on record highs and rallied firmly above the 72,000 level as exporters benefited from a weaker currency and a pullback in oil, although the index has pared some of the gains, but comfortably remained the outperformer. KOSPI swung between gains and losses amid a divergence between Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, in which the latter took over the throne as South Korea’s largest Co. by market cap. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp were mixed with sentiment not helped by trade frictions after China added 10 US firms to its export control list and announced to take relevant measures against 46 US companies in government procurement activities, while there was a lack of surprises from the announcement that the benchmark Loan Prime Rates were maintained for a 13th consecutive month.

China Rare Earths - China has added MP Materials (MP) and USA Rare Earth (USAR) to its export control list, citing national security, in response to the Pentagon’s decision this month to designate several major Chinese companies as supporting the Chinese military. The order bars the two companies from accessing dual-use items and extends restrictions globally to anyone transferring Chinese-origin dual-use goods to them. Eight other US firms, including drone, robotics and aerospace makers, were also added. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang warned that the risk of global supply chain fragmentation is growing amid rising unilateralism and protectionism. Ding defended China’s competitiveness as stemming from its complete industrial chains and large market.

EUROPEAN CLOSES

CLOSES: Euro Stoxx 50 -0.5%, CAC 40 -0.5%, AEX -0.3%, FTSE 100 -0.3%, DAX 40 -0.2%, SMI +0.1%, FTSE MIB +0.3%

SECTORS: Energy 1.47%, Healthcare 0.48%, Utilities 0.27%, Financials -0.12%, Industrials -0.21%, Telecoms -0.23%, IT -0.70%, Consumer Stpl -0.85%, Consumer Disc -1.18%, Materials -1.25%

FTSE 100

Lloyds (LLOY LN) - Co. targets more than 1,000 new AI roles as it expands agentic AI capability. (Lloyds)

UK Politics - Allies of Keir Starmer expect him to set out a timetable for his departure as UK prime minister within days, possibly as soon as Monday, paving the way for Andy Burnham to succeed him. The expected move follows Burnham's recent election to Parliament, making him eligible to launch a leadership challenge. Cabinet ministers loyal to Starmer reportedly believe his departure is inevitable, while discussions continue over whether Burnham would face a leadership contest or succeed him uncontested. President Trump wrote on Truth Social that Starmer would resign as PM, citing failures on immigration and energy, specifically calling for the North Sea oil to be opened; Trump said he wished Starmer well. (Newswires)

VodafoneThree (VOD LN) - Co. and Virgin Media O2 have implemented a "kill switch", which disables smartphones stolen from retail stores. (FT)

UK Homebuilders - Savills UK suggests that the number of homes to be built in the UK will fall over the next two years. The firm estimates that c. 840k homes will be built in the next five years, which would be 42% short of the Government's 1.5mln target. (Savills)

OTHER UK COMPANIES

Ocado (OCDO LN) - Co. is reportedly searching for a successor to CEO Tim Steiner. Chief executive of Vonage, Niklas Heuveldop, has reportedly been looked at. (Sky News)

BROKER MOVES

Computacenter (CCC LN) downgraded to Add from Buy at Peel Hunt

Informa (INF LN) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Citi

DAX

adidas (ADS GY) - Co. and GLO Brands B.V., debuts ADIDAS PRO WORK, a new safety footwear range, combining performance, protection and style for the modern worksite. (Adidas)

German Pensions - Germany’s ruling coalition is preparing to back pension reforms including a market-based savings component, tighter early-retirement rules and a gradual rise in the retirement age, Bloomberg reports. Proposals include a supplementary contribution equal to 2% of gross wages invested through a public fund and abolishing a 45-year contribution early-retirement route.

Porsche AG (P911 GY) - Porsche AG chief said it is finalising talks on additional cost cuts as it prepares for reduced vehicle production, FAZ reports. The Volkswagen (VOW3 GY)-owned manufacturer expects to reach an agreement with worker representatives by the factory summer break in July. (FAZ)

OTHER GERMAN COMPANIES

Nordex Group (NDX1 GY) - Co. secures new US orders totaling 484 MW. (Nordex)

BROKER MOVES

BMW (BMW GY) upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Bank of America

CAC

Danone (BN FP) - Danone is acquiring Australian dairy and drinks producer Made Group from TPG Capital in a deal worth around AUD 2bln, as part of its expansion into high-protein nutrition, according to AFR. Danone is also acquiring the remaining 49% stake in its fresh dairy joint venture with Saputo Dairy Australia, with both transactions expected to complete in H2. (Danone)

EssilorLuxottica (EL FP) - Heir to the Ray-Ban empire, Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, has publicly challenged his family's holding company Delfin Sarl to back his EUR 10bln buyout of two siblings ahead of a 30th June shareholder meeting. In an open letter, he accused Delfin's board of failing to clearly explain its shifting position on the deal, which would make him the largest shareholder of the Luxembourg-based investment vehicle. Delfin's board is reportedly evaluating an alternative buyback of the stakes being sold by Del Vecchio's siblings.

Renault (RNO FP) - Renault plans to abstain from voting on Nissan's (7201 JT / NSANY) reappointment of director Motoo Nagai and new nominee Junichi Shinbo, both former Mizuho Financial Group bankers, at the Japanese carmaker's annual shareholders meeting Tuesday, citing concerns over independence, according to Bloomberg citing sources. Proxy advisers ISS and Glass Lewis have recommended voting against Nagai's reappointment. (Bloomberg)

OTHER FRENCH COMPANIES

Elis (ELIS FP) - Co. announces the withdrawal of its notification to the CCPC regarding the acquisition of OCL. The proposed acquisition represented only a small portion of the Group's business and will not have a significant impact on Elis's growth trajectory. Elis remains fully committed to developing its operations in Ireland. (Elis)

Ubisoft (UBI FP) - Claude Guillemot, co-founder of Ubisoft Entertainment and chairman of Guillemot Corp., died aged 69, Bloomberg reports. Ubisoft said he died in an accident. Ouest-France reported Guillemot was one of two people aboard a Cessna 421 plane that crashed in La Baule, France, killing both passengers. (Bloomberg)

BROKER MOVES

Carrefour (CA FP) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley

PAN EUROPE

ASML Holdings (ASML NA) - ASML has denied shipping an extreme ultraviolet lithography machine, or any related component, to China, after a report suggested that US Commerce Secretary Lutnick raised concerns one of the tools may have reached the country in violation of export restrictions, Reuters reports. ASML said it has "consistently adjusted its business" to comply with export control rules. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs said semiconductor equipment exports require licences under the European Dual-Use Regulation and national measures, which it enforces strictly. (Reuters)

China-EU - German Chancellor Merz called for international FX talks to address the EU’s trade deficit with China. Merz said the EU competes with countries whose currencies are up to 30% undervalued, referenced the 1985 Plaza Accord and said he raised the issue at the G7, where it received strong US support. Elsewhere, Merz said he expects the US to honour trade commitments with Europe after the Trump administration opened a tariff investigation into Germany’s pharmaceutical pricing; Merz said drug reimbursement is a national matter.

Leonardo (LDO IM) - CEO said that the Co. would be open to Germany joining a next-gen fighter jet programme with the UK and Japan, highlighting the benefits of German involvement. (Leonardo)

Recordati (REC IM) - CVC Investor reportedly amends arrangements to allow total return swap derivatives in context of the takeover bid on Recordati's shares. (Recordati)

Weight-Loss Drugs, Snack Makers - A PricewaterhouseCoopers survey of more than 2,300 GLP-1 users in the UK found around 70% were spending less on snacks and confectionery, and 60% were buying fewer sugary drinks, with 54% purchasing more high-protein options and 40% spending more on vitamins and supplements. PwC estimates the number of UK GLP-1 users could rise from about 3mln to around 7mln by 2027 as cheaper generics and pill formats become available, following the UK's approval of Novo Nordisk's (NVO) Wegovy pill.

BROKER MOVES

SMI

OTHER SWISS COMPANIES

BROKER MOVES

SCANDINAVIA

BROKER MOVES

US

CRH (CRH) - CRH is in advanced discussions to acquire competitor Arcosa, with an agreement potentially reached as soon as next week, FT reports. The deal would be the Dublin-based group's largest-ever takeover. The report notes that Arcosa has a market capitalisation near USD 7bln, rising to over USD 8bln including debt, with about USD 2.9bln in sales and more than 6,000 employees across construction products and engineered structures. (FT)