Newsquawk Daily European Equity Opening News - 27th July 2026

ASIAAPAC stocks were mostly positive, with risk sentiment underpinned as oil prices and yields declined following a halt in US-Iran strikes over the weekend, although some of the gains are capped, with price action somewhat choppy during the session as participants also await several major central bank meetings and key earnings later in the week. ASX 200 was led higher by strength in tech, materials and miners, while energy and defensives lag. Nikkei 225 swung between gains and losses with price action choppy amid recent currency moves, intervention risks, lower yields, and softer-than-expected Services PPI data, while participants also await the BoJ later in the week. KOSPI saw two-way trade and ultimately declined despite reports of NVIDIA deals with South Korean firms including SK Group and Naver, with the sector cautious ahead of key tech earnings. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp were positive as Hong Kong was led higher by tech stocks including CXMT stakeholders such as Xiaomi and Meituan, with energy at the other end of the spectrum following the drop in oil prices, while the attention in the mainland was on CXMT, which soared over 500% on its debut in Shanghai's STAR Market, making it mainland China's most valuable company by market cap.EUROPEAN CLOSESCLOSES: Euro Stoxx 50 +1.23% at 6,287, Dax 40 +1.33% at 25,092, FTSE 100 +0.94% at 10,739, CAC 40 +0.88% at 8,372, FTSE MIB +0.95% at 51,802, IBEX 35 +1.65% at 19,586, PSI -0.40% at 9,215, SMI +0.92% at 14,346, AEX +0.31% at 1,090FTSE 100Entain (ENT LN) - Transitioning two established brands, Sports Interaction and PartyCasino, to Alberta's iGaming market. (Entain)HSBC (HSBA LN) - Co. is nearing the sale of its AUD 30bln+ Australian loan book to Blackstone’s (BX) private credit arm, AFR reports citing sources. (AFR)Pension Managers - Cos are considering forming a GBP 1bln fund, which would invest in domestic science and technology firms. (Bloomberg)OTHER UK COMPANIESBROKER MOVESHochschild Mining (HOC LN) upgraded to Buy from Hold at BerenbergDAXSAP (SAP GY) - To carry out the second tranche of the buyback announced in January 2026 from the 27th July 2026 until at the latest the 27th January 2027, up to EUR 2.6bln in acquisition cost. (EQS)OTHER GERMAN COMPANIESMutares (MUX GY) - Sold Walor Precision Turning to Reed Capital. (EQS)Nordex (NDX1 GY) - Expanded EUR 2.47bln ESG-linked syndicated multi-FX guarantee facility. This new facility comes with a 5-year maturity and improved terms and conditions, including a material reduction in interest rates on a like-for-like basis. (EQS)BROKER MOVESDelivery Hero (DHER GY) downgraded to Hold from Buy at JefferiesSAP (SAP GY) maintained with Outperform at BMO Capital; PT (for the ADR) lifted to USD 177/shr (prev. 175/shr)CACOTHER FRENCH COMPANIESEutelsat (ETL FP) - Welcomes the US FCC order establishing the regulatory framework for the transition of Upper C-band spectrum in the United States and creating the conditions for an orderly transition of satellite services. (Businesswire)BROKER MOVESSTMicroelectronics (STMPA FP) maintained with Outperform at Mizuho; PT (for the ADR) cut to USD 80/shr (prev. 84/shr).PAN EUROPEargenx (ARGX NA) - To acquire Forte Bioscience (FBRX) for USD 77/shr, with total equity value of around USD 2.2bln. (Businesswire)Galp Energia (GALP PL) - Co. has acquired a 361MW fully operational onshore wind portfolio within Spain from Acciona Energy (ANA SM). Enterprise value of EUR 420mln. (Galp)Saipem (SPM IM) - Co. has been awarded contracts in Italy and the Ivory Coast, totalling EUR 800mln. (Saipem)BROKER MOVESSMIOTHER SWISS COMPANIESBROKER MOVESSCANDINAVIADKSH (DKSH DC) - Co. acquires the Meliane oral contraceptive brand from Bayer (BAYN GY) across 30 markets in Europe, North Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. (EQS)BROKER MOVESUSBaker Hughes (BKR) - Q2 adj. EPS 0.64 (exp. 0.50), Q2 revenue USD 6.74bln, down 2% Y/Y; Q2 adj. EBITDA +2% Y/Y to USD 1.23bln, exceeding the high end of guidance, and adj. net income +3% Y/Y to USD 640mln. Orders +49% Y/Y to a record USD 10.5bln, including record Industrial & Energy Technology orders of USD 7.1bln; total remaining performance obligations reached USD 40.1bln, and the segment’s backlog rose 19% to an all-time high. Operating cash flow more than doubled Y/Y to USD 1.35bln, and FCF increased to USD 1.11bln (from USD 239mln). CEO said demand remained strong across LNG, data centres, gas infrastructure and upstream markets despite operational challenges in the Middle East. Expects to achieve the midpoint of its FY26 guidance, and raised its Industrial & Energy Technology orders outlook under its Horizon 2 plan to above USD 45bln through 2028.CLOSES: SPX +0.06% at 7,413, NDX -1.15% at 28,128, DJI +0.45% at 51,947, RUT -0.28% at 2,932.SECTORS: Real Estate +2.39%, Materials +1.46%, Consumer Staples +0.94%, Financials +0.86%, Health +0.63%, Communication Services +0.43%, Industrials +0.35%, Energy +0.26%, Utilities +0.18%, Consumer Discretionary +0.15%, Technology -0.90%.