* European shares open up slightly
* STOXX hits July 2015 high
* Investors await clearer news on possible trade deal
* U.S. grants Huawei new 90-day license extension
Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of European equity
markets brought to you by Reuters stocks reporters and anchored
today by Danilo Masoni. Reach him on Messenger to share your
thoughts on market moves:
danilo.masoni.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
OPENING SNAPSHOT: STOXX BACK TO JULY 2015 HIGHS (0845 GMT)
European shares are positive at the open with the STOXX 600
climbing back to its highest since July 2015, helped by
gains across most sectors, as investors appeared hopeful about
progress in trade talks between the U.S. and China.
"Overall, we think the chance of a complete breakdown in
talks is now lower, and the chance of a positive resolution –
potentially including a rollback of tariffs – is higher," says
Mark Haefele, CIO at UBS Global Wealth Management.
"Political pressure ahead of the 2020 elections is rising,
and a workable agreement would enable President Trump to
'declare victory' ahead of the vote. Meanwhile, monetary policy
and fundamentals are also now more supportive and we have
adopted a neutral stance overall on equities," he adds.
Among top STOXX movers, satellite operator SES is
down 20% after the Federal Communications Commission in the U.S.
said it backed a public auction to free up spectrum in the
C-Band for next-generation 5G wireless networks.
Well-received results are driving in London-listed Halma
, ICG and Homeserve up 8.8%, 6.2% and
5.2% respectively, while Sonova in Zurich is down 4% as
margins missed expectations, offseting an upgrade to its outlook
which ZKB said is already reflected in consensus estimates.
Meanwhile, Madrid bourse operator BME, at the
centre of a takeover battle shares were up 1.8%, extending
yesterday's 38% surge.
Here's your opening snapshot.
(Danilo Masoni)
*****
ON OUR RADAR: BATTLE FOR BME, GERMAN REAL ESTATE, EARNINGS
(0755 GMT)
European shares are seen rising slightly at the open, helped
at the margins by news that the U.S. has granted Huawei a
longer-than-expected 90-day license extension, although the
region's top index remains stuck in its recent tight range, just
below record highs, pending clearer news on whether the U.S. and
China will strike a preliminary deal to end trade war.
EuroSTOXX50, DAX, FTSE, CAC and IBEX futures are up
0.2-0.5%.
On the corporate front, eyes on the bidding war for Madrid
bourse operator BME which could heat up further after
Spanish newspaper La Informacion said Deutsche Boerse
is mulling a bid for BME following competing moves by SIX and
Euronext to take over their smaller Spanish rival.
German real estate could also grab some attention due to M&A
action. Shares in TLG Immobilien are up 1.5% in early
Frankfurt trade after agreeing to merge with Aroundtown SA
in an all-share transaction.
In earnings, news is mixed.
Sonova lifted its FY 2019/2020 sales and profit
outlook after the hearing aid maker said a new device took
market share from rivals in H1. Its shares are seen up 2%.
Private bank Julius Baer said it was unlikely to
achieve its target of 4-6% growth in net new money this year due
to outflows from funds at its Italian subsidiary Kairos. Plans
for a 400-million-francs share buyback could sweeten the
disappointing earnings update.
Dialight could be hit hard after the lights
manufacturer warned on its annual operating profit, hit by the
Sino-U.S. trade spat which has led to uncertainty around the
timing of orders from its customers.
(Danilo Masoni)
*****
MORNING CALL: LITTLE CHANGED (0628 GMT)
European shares are expected to open little changed,
hovering at striking distance from their past record highs, as
investors await clearer news on whether the U.S. and China will
strike a preliminary deal to end a drawn-out trade war.
Spreadbetters at IG expect London's FTSE to open 6 points
higher at 7,314, Frankfurt's DAX to open 9 points higher at
13,216 and Paris' CAC to open 5 points higher at 5,934.
Over in Asia, shares were mixed.
(Danilo Masoni)
*****
(Reporting by Danilo Masoni, Joice Alves, Julien Ponthus and
Thyagaraju Adinarayan)
