Cautious European Markets, Close Brothers, Edenred, Synthomer in Focus

Sarla Buch
20 Jan, 2017
New York City

Close Brothers said loan book in the first-half jumped 9.3%. Edenred lifted its stake in multi-brand fuel cards player Union Tank Eckstein to 51%. Heineken is in preliminary talk with Brasil Kirin Holding. Synthomer surged on the improving business in Europe and North America.

[R]4:00 PM Frankfurt – Close Brothers said loan book in the first-half jumped 9.3%. Edenred lifted its stake in multi-brand fuel cards player Union Tank Eckstein to 51%. Heineken is in preliminary talk with Brasil Kirin Holding. Synthomer surged on the improving business in Europe and North America.[/R]

In London trading, FTSE 100 index edged up 4.54 to 7,213.11 and in Frankfurt the DAX index added 12.63 to 11,610.43.

In Paris, CAC 40 index rose 12.64 or 0.3% to 4,849.20.

For the week, FTSE 100 index slipped 1.7%, the DAX index slid 0.2% and the CAC 40 index decreased 1.4%.

Close Brothers Group Plc increased 1.1% to 1,447 pence after the U.K.-based banking and securities trading services provider said loan book in the first-half ending in January jumped 9.3% to £6.6 billion mainly driven by growth in the premium finance and property businesses and lower bad debt ratio.

Edenred SA slumped 3% to €19.41 after France-based prepaid corporate service vouchers provider lifted its stake in the number two multi-brand fuel cards player in the Europe, Union Tank Eckstein to 51%.

The fuel vouchers provider said it will now manages 2.6 million fuel cards and toll solutions and close to 6 billion liters of fuel.

Before the latest move, Edenred already held 34% interest in the company.

Heineken N.V. gained 0.9% to €71.26 after the Netherlands-based beer maker confirmed that it is in discussions with Kirin Holdings Company, Limited in respect of Brasil Kirin Holding S.A. but there could be no certainty that an agreement would be reached.

Synthomer Plc surged 11.2% to 419.90 after the U.K.-based specialty chemical maker said pre-tax profit in the year ending in December to £120 million after improved business in Europe and North America.

SDL Plc jumped 6.4% to 490.10 pence after the U.K.-based language translation services provider said revenues and operating profit in the year ending in December is estimated to be slightly ahead of market expectations, as large proportion of its costs are denominated in foreign currencies.