Newsquawk Daily European Equity Opening News - 3rd February 2026

ASIA

APAC stocks were mostly higher with several bourses firmly recovering from the prior day's sell-off, as the region took impetus from the positive handover from Wall Street, where markets rallied after a strong ISM Manufacturing report. ASX 200 climbed higher with tech and miners leading the advances, although further upside was capped as the focus turned to the RBA which hiked rates for the first time in over two years and sounded hawkish on inflation. Nikkei 225 surged following recent currency weakness and gained a firm footing above 54,000 to hit a record intraday high. KOSPI outperformed in a turnaround from the prior day's bloodbath with the Korea Exchange activating a sidecar earlier in the session to briefly halt program trading after a sharp rise in the local benchmark. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp initially lagged with early pressure seen across tech stocks, despite no immediate obvious catalysts, and with some attributing it to VAT hike concerns, while the Hang Seng TECH Index briefly re-entered bear market territory after dropping more than 20% from its October high. However, Chinese markets then pared their losses alongside the broad rally in Asia.

EUROPEAN CLOSES

CLOSES: Euro Stoxx 50 +0.99% at 6,007, Dax 40 +1.00% at 24,785, FTSE 100 +1.15% at 10,342, CAC 40 +0.67% at 8,181, FTSE MIB +1.05% at 46,005, IBEX 35 +1.25% at 18,104, PSI +0.51% at 8,706, SMI +1.80% at 13,416, AEX +0.78% at 1,010

SECTORS: Financials 1.68%, Consumer Stpl 1.40%, Telecoms 1.40%, Healthcare 1.39%, IT 1.20%, Materials 0.80%, Industrials 0.75%, Consumer Disc 0.64%, Utilities -0.08%, Energy -0.59%

FTSE 100

Rolls Royce (RR/ LN) - Confirms it is satisfied with the upgraded Trent 1000 engine on Boeing 787 (BA). Elsewhere, exec cites rising prices to supply chain disruptions and political headwinds. (Newswires)

OTHER UK COMPANIES

BROKER MOVES

DAX

OTHER GERMAN COMPANIES

BayWa (BYW6 GY) - Executive Board in precautionary talks with financing partners and major shareholders regarding potential adjustments of restructuring concept. This would have an impact on the total proceeds planned in BayWa AG's restructuring concept from the sale of its stake in BayWa r.e. AG, which is envisaged to take place by the end of 2028. There will be no direct negative impact on BayWa AG's liquidity and operating business, as no cash flows between the two companies are planned until the sale of the BayWa r.e. AG shares in 2028. (BayWa)

ProSiebenSat.1 (PSM GY) - FY (EUR): Revenue 3.68bln (exp. 3.72bln), Adj. EBITDA 405mln (exp. 433.7mln). The earnings development reflects the challenging market environment in Germany, which continues to be characterized by an industry-wide decline in investments in TV advertising. Net financial debt is likely to decline to around EUR 1.34bln (prev. EUR 1.51bln Y/Y). (ProSiebenSat.1)

Sartorius (SRT3 GY) - FY (EUR): Revenue 3.54bln (exp. 3.54bln), Adj. EBITDA 1.05bln (exp. 1.05bln). Outlook for 2026: Management forecasts continued profitable growth. (Sartorius)

Siltronic (WAF GY) - Q4 (EUR): Sales 372mln (exp. 343.3mln). FY: Sales 1.34mln (-4.7% Y/Y), EBITDA Margin 23.5% (prev. guided 22-24%). Notes that targets for 2025 achieved despite challenging conditions. 2026: Siltronic expects that 2026 will continue to present a challenging market environment, characterized by price pressure outside long‑term agreements (LTAs) as well as negative FX effects. (Siltronic)

BROKER MOVES

CAC

Engie (ENGI FP)/ Sonoco (SON) - Sonoco said delivery has commenced under its virtual power purchase agreement with Engie for output from the Big Sampson Wind Project in Texas. The agreement covers about 140 megawatts annually for 15 years, representing roughly 83% of Sonoco’s US electricity use in 2025.

Publicis (PUB FP) - FY (EUR): EPS 6.5 (exp. 6.57), Revenue 17.4bln (exp. 14.5bln). Q4: Net Revenue 3.87bln (prev. 3.85bln Y/Y). (Publicis). Outlook: As a result of its new business tailwind, high client retention rate and continued investments to enhance its model, Publicis has laid the foundation for a seventh consecutive year of industry outperformance in 2026. Operating margin rate at slightly above 18.2% while maintaining a high level of investment. (Publicis)

Sanofi (SAN FP) - Co. to buy back shares for up to EUR 1bln. (Sanofi)

STMicroelectronics (STM FP) - Co. expands sensor capabilities with the closing of acquisition of NXP’s MEMS business. Announced in July 2025 and now fully approved by regulators. The deal expands sensors capabilities and is expected to contribute about USD 45-49mln to revenues in Q1. (STMicroelectronics)

Vinci (DG FP) - Co. awarded a hydraulic contract in Jamaica, worth a total of EUR 144mln. (Vinci)

OTHER FRENCH COMPANIES

Amundi (AMUN FP) - FY (EUR): AuM 2.38tln (+6% Y/Y), Net Revenue 3.41bln (prev. 3.23bln Y/Y), EPS 6.58 (prev. 6.75 Y/Y). Positive inflows from Retail, Institutional and joint ventures. 2028 Medium-Term Plan: Announces a buyback program of Amundi shares for a total of EUR 500mln. Amundi noted that UniCredit (UCG IM) outflows totalled EUR 16bln. (Amundi)

Gaztransport et Technigaz (GTT FP) - Co. receives an order from HD KSOE for the tank design of four new LNG carriers. (GTT)

Sartorius Stedim Biotech (DIM FP) – FY25 (EUR): Revenue 2.97bln (exp. 2.97bln), EBITDA 914mln (exp. 917.2mln). CEO: "2025 was a very successful year for Sartorius Stedim Biotech. We are continuing our growth path with high profitability”. Outlook for 2026: Management expects to continue very profitable growth path. Expects Sales Revenue to increase between 6-10%. (Sartorius Stedim Biotech)

BROKER MOVES

PAN EUROPE

Akzo Nobel (AKZA NA) - Q4 2025 (EUR): Revenue 2.37bln (prev. 2.62bln Y/Y), Operating income 787mln (prev. 127mln Y/Y), Adjusted EBITDA 309mln (prev. 321mln Y/Y); Based on current market visibility and at prevailing trading conditions, the company expects to deliver EUR 100mln of adjusted EBITDA improvement in constant currencies. (Akzo Nobel)

BROKER MOVES

Galp Energia (GALP PL) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan

Repsol (REP SM) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JPMorgan

SMI

Givaudan (GIVN SW) - Company to invest USD 110mln in compounding facility fragrances in Pedro Escobedo, Mexico. (Givaudan)

Kuehne+Nagel (KNIN SW) - Co. has signed a lease agreement with Fraport AG (FRA GY) for a new 7,600 sqm air cargo facility in CargoCity South at Frankfurt Airport. Completion and handover are set for the end of 2028. (Kuehne+Nagel)

Sika (SIKA SW) - Sika has expanded its global manufacturing network with the opening of five new sites located in the United States, Argentina, Colombia, Bangladesh, and Tanzania. (Sika)

OTHER SWISS COMPANIES

BROKER MOVES

Flughafen Zuerich (FHZN SW) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Barclays

Nordnet (SAVE SW) upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at BNP Paribas

Swatch (UHR SW) upgraded to Neutral from Underperform by Bank of America

SCANDINAVIA

Alfa Laval (ALFA SS) - Q4 (SEK): Sales 19.1bln (exp. 18.7bln), EPS 4.79 (exp. 5.67). Outlook: “We expect demand in the first quarter to be on about the same level as in the fourth quarter” (unchanged from prior commentary). (Alfa Laval)

Aker BP (AKERBP NO) - Aker BP has started oil production from the Solveig Phase 2 development in the North Sea. The project has been delivered on schedule and within budget, adding approximately 39 million barrels of oil equivalent in recoverable resources to the Solveig field. (Aker BP)

Boliden (BOL SS) - Q4 (SEK): Revenue 28.13bln (prev. 25.78bln Y/Y), Op. Profit 5.79bln (prev. 4.09bln Y/Y). CEO: During the quarter our production in general has been relatively stable and there are several positive takeaways which we will bring with us into 2026. I believe that the tailwinds we now are experiencing are partly due to external factors but also due to years of dedicated efforts from many people in our organization. (Boliden)

Demant (DEMANT DC) - FY (DKK): Revenue 23bln (exp. 22.8bln), Adj. EBIT 3.96bln (exp. 3.94bln). FY Outlook: Adj. EBIT 4.1-4.5bln (exp. 4.64bln). (Demant)

Essity (ESSITYB SS) - Essity has completed the acquisition of Edgewell Personal Care's feminine care business. (Essity)

Orsted (ORSTED DC) - A US federal judge cleared Orsted’s work on its Sunrise Wind Project off the coast of NY. (Mint)

BROKER MOVES

US

CLOSES: SPX +0.54% at 6,976, NDX +0.73% at 25,739, DJI +1.05% at 49,408, RUT +1.02% at 2,640

SECTORS: Energy -1.98%, Utilities -1.54%, Real Estate -1.12%, Communication Services +0.34%, Technology +0.46%, Health +0.61%, Materials +0.71%, Consumer Discretionary +0.72%, Financials +1.03%, Industrials +1.26%, Consumer Staples +1.59%.

NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) - NXP's shares fell 6.1% in extended trading after reporting an in line revenues, and slower-than-expected automotive growth, which outweighed the modest earnings beat. Q4 adj. EPS 3.35 (exp. 3.31), Q4 revenue USD 3.34bln (exp. 3.31bln). Management noted sequential improvement across all end markets, citing progress in software-defined vehicles and physical AI, and portfolio strengthening via acquisitions to support automotive, industrial and IoT demand, positioning the group for profitable growth with disciplined investment and margin expansion. For Q1, sees adj. EPS between 2.77-3.17 (exp. 2.95), and revenue between USD 3.05-3.25bln (exp. 3.09bln).

OpenAI, Nvidia (NVDA) - OpenAI has sought alternatives to Nvidia’s latest AI chips since last year, citing dissatisfaction with the speed at which Nvidia hardware delivers answers to ChatGPT users on complex problems. CNBC earlier reported that the potential deal between Nvidia and OpenAI remains under consideration. Later, OpenAI's chief Sam Altman said he hopes to be a huge Nvidia customer in the long-term, and that Nvidia makes the world's best AI chips.

Palantir Technologies (PLTR) - Palantir shares rose 11.5% in extended trading after it reported a record quarter that beat expectations, with strong demand for its AI offerings highlighted as the key driver. Q4 adj. EPS 0.25 EPS (exp. 0.23), Q4 revenue USD 1.41bln (exp. 1.34bln). US business revenue +93% Y/Y and +22% Q/Q, surpassing USD 1bln for the first time, including US commercial revenue +137% Y/Y; total customer count +34% Y/Y and +5% Q/Q to 954; Q4 TCV bookings USD 4.3bln, +138% Y/Y. Management said accelerating AIP demand is driving US outperformance and highlighted a Rule of 40 score of 127%. Exec said sales to US businesses in 2026 are expected to grow at least 115% to more than USD 3.14bln. Sees Q1 adj. operating income between USD 870-874mln (exp. 641mln), and Q1 revenue between USD 1.532-1.536bln (exp. 1.33bln). For the FY, sees revenue between USD 7.182-7.198bln (exp. 6.3bln), and FY adj. operating income between USD 4.126-4.142bln (exp. 3.14bln).