Public Markets 3h Briefing
×Currency Markets
The euro bloomberg.com is sliding as oil and natural gas prices surge, exposing Europe's vulnerability to energy shocks. The Canadian dollar bloomberg.com has emerged as a top pick in the foreign exchange market due to its strong link to oil prices amid Middle East tensions. Sterling investing.com is outperforming the euro as market deleveraging continues.
European Equities
UBS investing.com upgraded Softcat following a valuation reset. Citi investing.com upgraded Heidelberg Materials citing EU ETS reform. Barclays investing.com upgraded Athens International Airport on regulatory protection. Deutsche Bank investing.com upgraded Inditex on improved growth outlook. Campari investing.com shares jumped after FY25 results topped forecasts, defying the spirits slump.
Corporate News
Mike Ashley's Frasers Group ft.com built a 5.77% stake in Puma via derivatives. JD.com investing.com missed Q4 earnings though revenue roughly met estimates. Wizz Air investing.com shares fell 8% after a Middle East crisis triggered a profit warning. Rentokil investing.com shares jumped 12% as North American growth lifted 2025 results. Admiral Group investing.com earnings beat drove shares higher.
Debt Markets
High-grade firms snapped a week-long absence from Europe's debt market, with Baker Hughes bloomberg.com among borrowers offering the first deals in a week. EA buyout banks bloomberg.com are eyeing a €4 billion, $10.5 billion split in debt sales.
Economic Data
Eurozone retail sales fell unexpectedly in January despite an uptick in consumer confidence. UK housebuilding slowdown bloomberg.com deepened in February, with construction activity declining at a sharper pace than expected. UK high streets are turning to facial recognition to combat rising shoplifting since the pandemic.
Geopolitical Impact
The escalating Iran conflict has jolted a popular hedge fund dispersion trade, threatening spillover into broader markets. India automakers bloomberg.com are delaying Middle East shipments as the war snarls exports and drives up freight costs. Bangladesh bloomberg.com is preparing to reduce petrol deliveries to stretch reserves amid energy supply disruption.
M&A & Private Markets
USA Rare Earth bloomberg.com is poised to acquire the remaining stake in the Round Top deposit in an all-stock transaction valuing the deal at about $73 million. Amundi, KKR, and Temasek bloomberg.com are among bidders for UOB Asset Management. Beijing Momenta Technology bloomberg.com has confidentially filed for an IPO in Hong Kong.
Energy & Commodities
Oil prices pushing toward $85 are benefiting Nigeria while posing risks to Congo's economy. South Africa's finance minister bloomberg.com sounded the alarm over oil price spikes that may fuel inflation. Southeast Asian governments are on alert for economic impacts from the Iran crisis, monitoring higher oil prices and supply chain disruptions.
Other Markets
Volkswagen Group wsj.com has delivered 4 million all-electric vehicles since 2013, reaching the latest million in just one year. Nvidia partner Hon Hai finance.yahoo.com saw sales climb 22% in the global AI buildout. Shanghai Moody Technology bloomberg.com is considering a $1 billion sale that could value the colored contact lens maker at about $1 billion.