Today in the course of trading the stock indices of Western European countries show weak and multidirectional changes after the release of the next portion of corporate reporting.
The composite index of the largest enterprises in the region Stoxx Europe 600 by 12:25 Moscow time increased by 0.26% and amounted to 410.52 points.
The British FTSE 100 index by 12:57 Moscow time rose 0.15%, the German DAX added 0.46%, the French CAC 40 fell 0.1%, the Italian FTSE MIB rose 0.04%, the Spanish IBEX 35 lost 0, 38%.
Investors evaluate the financial performance of a number of companies.
AstraZeneca PLC shares are up 2%. The pharmaceutical company developing a vaccine against COVID-19 increased pre-tax earnings, revenues and basic earnings per share in Q4 2020.
Credit Agricole SA shares gained 4.4%. The French bank significantly reduced its net income in the 4th quarter of 2020 due to provisions for impairment of assets of Italian businesses and coverage of NPLs. The bank also said it is taking further steps to simplify its structure.
Commerzbank AG shares fell 6%. Germany’s second-largest bank increased its net loss in the 4th quarter of 2020 and announced that it plans to resume paying dividends in 2023.
ArcelorMittal SA shares are down 1%. The largest steel company in the world returned to net income in the 4th quarter of 2020. According to the company’s press release, net income in October-December was $ 1.21 billion, compared with a net loss of $ 1.88 billion in the same period a year earlier. Quarterly revenues fell to $ 14.18 billion from $ 15.51 billion, mainly due to the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on overall steel demand. In addition, ArcelorMittal has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, Aditya Mittal, who currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of the company.
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Royal Mail PLC jumped 5%. The UK Postal Service expects its fiscal 2021 adjusted operating income to well exceed £ 500m ($ 691.8m) thanks to better-than-expected 9-month performance and renewed COVID-19 restrictions. According to the company’s forecast, revenue growth for the year will amount to 380-580 million pounds sterling.
The market value of UniCredit SpA decreased by 3%. Italy’s largest bank increased its net loss in the 4th quarter of 2020 and reduced revenue.
Capitalization of Zurich Insurance Group decreased by 0.7%. The Swiss insurance company reduced its net profit by 8% at the end of 2020 amid the negative consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
The focus of the markets also remains on the situation with the coronavirus pandemic, restrictive measures and vaccination programs, writes Trading Economics.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday announced the extension of the lockdown regime in the country until March 7, which was supposed to operate until mid-February. In general, the restrictions are in effect from the end of November 2020 and include the closure of all shops except grocery, sports and beauty clubs, swimming pools, museums and theaters, restaurants and bars.
