FINANCIAL MARKETS
The Euro Stoxx 50 futures fell 109 points, 1.93%, those of the German DAX index fell 432 points, 1.84%, and those of the British FTSE 100 fell 87.5 points, 0.84%, at 0500 GMT.
Trump’s speech, without news, indicating that the Strait of Hormuz ‘will open on its own’ after the defeat of Iran and that the war will last ‘two to three more weeks’ disappoints investors who are imposing sales in the European markets at this time.
Oil prices rose more than $5 on Thursday after President Donald Trump said the United States would continue attacks on Iran without committing to a specific timeframe for ending the war, stoking investor fears of possible prolonged supply disruptions.
MACROECONOMIC DATA
– Weekly unemployment benefit applications in the US
– Trade deficit in the US
– Budget balance in France
COMPANIES
The president of the Spanish company Indra resigns after the merger with his own company fails (Reuters)
Estée Lauder and Puig are advancing in talks for a merger via share exchange, according to Bloomberg (Reuters)
Grifols refinances all 2027 maturities after extending a loan of 3,000 million euros (Reuters)
ACS climbs to 80.3% in Hochtief but slows down the pace of purchases due to its stock market rally (El Economista)
The deadline to bid for the airline TAP ends with the uncertainty of the owner of Iberia (El Confidencial)
Redeia: Jefferies upgrades to buy from hold and raises the price target from 15.8 euros to 16.5 euros (Reuters)
ECONOMY AND POLITICS
Hopes for a quick end to the war in the Middle East faded after US President Donald Trump promised more aggressive strikes against Iran in a highly anticipated speech that disappointed investors as they hoped for clearer signals on a way out of the conflict (Reuters)
Tensions between the United States and NATO allies escalated when President Donald Trump said he was considering withdrawing the United States from the Western military alliance due to the refusal of its European members to send ships to unblock the Strait of Hormuz (Reuters)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia for responding to his offer of an Easter truce with airstrikes on Wednesday, but called new talks with American mediators aimed at resolving the four-year conflict «positive» (Reuters)