North America:

  • EU conditionally approves Synopsys' $35 billion takeover of Ansys.
  • Apple faces a lawsuit for allegedly overcharging app developers, experiences a 5% drop in iPhone sales, opposes a proposal to end DEI programs, and contributes to a decline in tech stocks due to issues with its diversity initiatives and competition from Chinese firms.
  • Firefighters are investigating whether Southern California Edison 's infrastructure started a brush fire that is still burning in the Los Angeles suburbs, SCE said Friday, adding that no decision has been made on the matter.
  • Johnson & Johnson considering acquisition of Intra-Cellular Therapies, Bloomberg reported
  • Meta and Amazon back out of diversity programs, Apple keeps it.
  • The Hershey is expected to announce the departure of CEO Michele Buck, according to Semafor.
  • Eli Lilly is about to acquire biotech Scorpion Therapeutics for $2.5 billion, according to the FT.
  • KKR is considering the sale of UK-based Viridor, according to Bloomberg.
  • Biogen to buy remaining shares in Sage Therapeutics for $442 million.
  • Hewlett Packard Enterprise signs $1 billion contract to supply AI-optimized servers to X.
  • Gilead and LEO Pharma join forces to develop programs to combat inflammatory diseases.
  • Lululemon Athletica reported strong sales and raised its Q4 earnings and revenue guidance, leading to a rise in its shares, despite mixed performance in consumer stocks and heavy discounting affecting the sector.

Europe and Asia:

  • The U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld Novartis's patent for its heart failure drug, Entresto, affirming the company's legal victory.
    Duke Energy has appointed Harry Sideris as the new President and CEO, marking a significant change in the company's management team.
  • GSK, a British pharmaceutical company, has agreed to acquire Boston-based biopharmaceutical company IDRx for up to $1.15 billion, aiming to enhance its portfolio in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
  • Lufthansa's acquisition of a minority stake in ITA Airways is expected to significantly boost profits, despite potential delays in the investment and AirBaltic's IPO possibly being postponed to early 2026 due to engine delivery issues.
  • BMW Group's automotive sales decreased by 4% to 2,450,804 units, with a notable 13.5% increase in electric vehicle sales, despite challenges such as technical issues, weak demand in China, and a sluggish economy affecting overall sales, alongside a new partnership with SK tes to recycle high-voltage batteries.
  • The German government is considering various options to divest its 99.12% stake in the nationalized energy company Uniper, including a full or partial sale, potentially to buyers like Brookfield Asset Management.
  • Porsche experienced a 3% decrease in global vehicle sales, significantly impacted by a 28% drop in the Chinese market.
  • Norsk Hydro has fully acquired Hydrovolt by purchasing the remaining shares from Northvolt for NOK 78 million, increasing its ownership to 100%.
  • Eni's subsidiary Plenitude has completed the construction of the Guajillo battery storage project in Webb County, Texas, which is their largest to date, featuring a 200 MW capacity using LFP lithium-ion batteries and expected to be operational soon.
  • Sanofi's Sarclisa has been approved by China's National Medical Products Administration for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
  • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) has commenced production of advanced four-nanometer chips in Arizona, with a significant 58% jump in fourth-quarter profits driven by robust demand for AI chips, according to the Commerce Secretary.
  • Yanbu Cement expects a 10% increase in production costs due to Saudi Aramco's fuel price change, while Saudi Aramco has signed agreements worth $9 billion to enhance localization efforts.
  • CATL has engaged banks for its Hong Kong float, while Tencent has reduced its stake in Weimob to 2.94%.
  • Japan's Nippon Telegraph & Telephone is reportedly planning a $1 billion IPO for a data center REIT in Singapore, expected in the second half of 2023.
  • HSBC has repurchased more than 3.6 million shares across the UK and Hong Kong markets.
  • Scantech, a technology company, is planning an initial public offering (IPO) in Shanghai.
  • Westpac Banking recently bought back 643,548 of its shares for approximately AU$21 million.
  • BYD is set to launch the Atto 2 compact SUV in Europe in February.
  • Babylon Pump & Power has refinanced its debt facilities with National Australia Bank.
  • Samsung Electronics' Neo QLED and Lifestyle TVs have been awarded EyeCare certification for their user-friendly visual features.
  • ANZ Group Holdings has announced a plan to buy back its own shares.