Benelux

Investors increased their bets that the U.S. Federal Reserve rate increase later this year?after policymakers struck a more hawkish tone. The pan-European STOXX 600 closed 0.3% lower and ended a five-day streak of gains. The regional bourses showed mixed results, with France, Germany and Italy posting gains and Spain and Italy declining. The FTSE 100 in Britain ended the day 1% down as heavyweight healthcare and energy stocks weighed. In June, the Bank of England held interest rates at 3.75% because it deemed it premature to increase rates due to uncertainty regarding 'inflation pressures. Oil and gas shares in Europe...

Investors?bet? that the Federal Reserve would raise rates next, following hawkish predictions from policymakers. However, easing oil prices helped to temper inflation fears. By 0812 GMT, the pan-European STOXX 600 Index was down 0.15% to 638.35. The Fed kept rates unchanged on Wednesday but persistent inflation worries led?nine officials to predict one rate increase this year. According to the FedWatch tool of CME Group, traders expect rates will remain unchanged through the end of this year. Brent crude oil prices continued to fall on Thursday, trading at around $77 per barrel after the U.S. signed an interim deal with Iran...

Here are some company news and stories that could have a significant impact on markets in France and Benelux or individual stocks. AIR FRANCE KLM: The Franco Dutch airline group has signed a multi-purpose credit facility worth EUR1 billion with 12 international banks. Its aim is to refinance existing financial instruments, including M&A, starting in H2 2026. AUTOS: The number of battery electric vehicles registered in Europe in May reached a new record, continuing a strong growth, as policy support, subsidies and higher petrol prices boosted demand. DERICHEBOURG SA : French waste management company Derichebourg Environnement has won a total...

Private equity firm KKR announced a new $1.4 billion bet on aircraft lease with a partner Altavair on Wednesday, as Airbus and Boeing continue to struggle with a lack of planes. Private equity firms and leasing companies are playing a greater role in financing aircraft purchases. This is because airlines are facing rising costs, recovering travel demand and limited aircraft supply. About half of the world's fleet is now leased, or rented. KKR has invested more than 12 billion dollars in aviation since 2015. Altavair is a company that focuses on the acquisition of new and used aircraft, and then...

Qantas Airways announced on Wednesday that?London was the first destination of the world's largest direct commercial flight. The trip is roughly 20 hours from Sydney, eliminating the?traditional halt on the "Kangaroo Route". Vanessa Hudson, the CEO of Australian carrier, told an audience in Toulouse, France that they plan to start selling tickets by February, and launch flights in October 2027. The airline is part of "Project Sunrise", which will serve New York in the future using modified Airbus A350 1000ULR jets that can fly up to 22-hours with 238 passengers aboard. The announcement is part a fleet revamp that began...

Some airlines have resumed flights to certain parts of the Middle East, as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict that followed the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran gain momentum. However, many carriers continue to suspend flights, causing global travel disruptions. The following is a list of the current status of flights by alphabetical order. AEGEAN AIRLINES Thessaloniki-Tel Aviv flights were cancelled by Greece's largest airline until June 26. Dubai flights are cancelled until August 31. Erbil and Baghdad flights until September 30. AIRBALTIC AirBaltic, a Latvian airline, has canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai until the 28th of June. AIR...

Qantas Airways will announce the first destination on Wednesday for the longest non-stop flight in the world?from east Australia to London or New York. This is a major breakthrough after years of delays. Since 2017, "Project Sunrise", a plan to offer direct flights on modified Airbus long haul jets to London hubs in the Middle East and Asia, has been under development. It is expected to be operational by the end next year. It is hoped to reduce the five-day journey on the "Kangaroo Route", which used to take place from Sydney to London, to a maximum of 22 hours...

Despite the fact that most of the suspensions remain in place after the U.S. and Israeli strikes against?Iran, which disrupted global travel in February. The following is a list of the current status of flights by alphabetical order. AEGEAN AIRLINES Thessaloniki-Tel Aviv flights were cancelled by Greece's biggest carrier until June 26. Dubai flights are canceled until August 31. Erbil and Baghdad flights will be canceled until September 30. AIRBALTIC AirBaltic, a Latvian airline, has cancelled all flights to Dubai and Tel 'Aviv until June 28. AIR CANADA Canadian Airlines has cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv, Dubai and Abu...

Some airlines have begun to restore some flights in the Middle East, although many suspensions remain in place following the U.S. and Israeli?strikes against Iran in February that disrupted global travel. Here is a list of the current status of airline flights in alphabetical order. AEGEAN AIRLINES Thessaloniki-Tel Aviv flights were cancelled by Greece's biggest carrier until 26 June. Dubai flights are cancelled through August 31. Erbil, Baghdad and Erbil flights will be cancelled until September 30. AIRBALTIC AirBaltic, a Latvian airline, has canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai until the 28th of June. AIR CANADA Canadian Airlines has...

Airbus' head urged France and the European Union to tackle high regulatory and other costs that are weighing businesses down. He also said the issue of competitiveness needs to be addressed at the French presidential elections next year. Speaking to French politicians, including the transport minister of the country, at the opening of a new assembly in Toulouse in the south of France CEO?Guillaume Faury cited labour and energy costs. He called the cost?of European regulatory obstacles "absolutely horrendous". Faury spoke at the opening of a new assembly?line for the A321neo, the most popular narrowbody model. Airbus is aiming to...

Air India wants to delay the delivery of hundreds?of jets ordered from 'Airbus and Boeing' in order to cut costs, according two people familiar with the situation, who confirmed a Bloomberg article. Air India and Boeing did not respond to a request for comment. Air India, under the new majority owners Tata Group, placed a record-breaking order in 2023 for a total 470 Jets. It also leased another 25 jets. Airline faces increasing losses and operational disruptions due to the conflict in Iran, which is compounded by Pakistan's ban on airspace and a crisis following a deadly Boeing 787 crash...

The Middle East is slowly getting back on the map as regional carriers work to rebuild their schedules following the war's disruption. However, the conflict continues disrupting a wider range of traffic. Middle Eastern airlines added capacity following severe disruptions linked to the Iran War, while many carriers outside the Gulf continue to divert Europe-Asia flight to avoid the Middle East. The latest flight information is listed below alphabetically: AEGEAN AIRLINES Thessaloniki-Tel Aviv flights were cancelled by Greece's biggest?carrier until June 26. Dubai flights are cancelled until August 31 and Baghdad and Erbil flights until September 30. AIRBALTIC AirBaltic, a...

InPost, a Polish parcel locker company, announced on Friday that the consortium of FedEx International, Advent International and InPost investors will make a?buyout offer worth EUR7.8 billion (USD9 'billion). The offer is valid from May 26 until July 27. The company stated in a'statement' that regulatory clearances for the deal have already been received in China, Israel and Italy. InPost's shareholders support the all-cash?bid for a takeover announced in February, unanimously recommended by InPost board. For the deal to be completed, however, 80% must be?tendered. The EUR15.60 bid per share would allow U.S. FedEx to increase its reach in Europe...

InPost, the parcel locker company that was the target of an 'offer by a FedEx and Advent led consortium, reported a core profit in the first quarter of the year, which exceeded market expectations. Growth in Poland and in the Eurozone helped offset costs associated with the integration of Yodel into Britain. The adjusted earnings before interest taxes, depreciation, and amortisation were 902.2 million Zlotys (249.0 millions) in the third quarter. This was above a consensus estimate from the company of 856million Zlotys. InPost's Poland division, which is still its main source of profit, saw its first-quarter deliveries increase 8%,...

The top American companies, from GM and Coca-Cola to Coca-Cola, are trying to reassure their investors that they will be able to weather the financial fallout of the Iran War despite the fact that fuel prices and packaging costs have risen. Since the beginning of the conflict, oil prices have increased dramatically. This has pushed up the cost of inputs in industries that are already under pressure from U.S. Tariffs. This increase forces companies to consider price increases at a time consumers are already feeling the strain. Reviewing company statements from the'start of war' revealed that 24 companies had withdrawn...

DHL Express Europe's CEO Mike Parra stated on Thursday that the company will continue to invest in the Middle East despite the conflict in Iran, as the region plays a crucial role for its business over the long term. The Deutsche Post DHL Group has announced investments of more than 500 millions?euros (577 million dollars) in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Parra, a journalist in Amsterdam, said: "Investments continue in the Middle East. We see the Middle East as having a key role for us from a long-term standpoint." The U.S. and Israeli...

The British money manager Aberdeen will vote against a proposed 7,8?billion euros ($9.25 billion),?takeover by a consortium led?by FedEx of the parcel locker company?InPost, claiming that the offer undervalues it materially. According to LSEG 'data, the firm holds a 0.2% share in InPost. It urged InPost to reconsider its support for the "unjustifiably" low 15.60 euros cash offer per share. According to an excerpt from a letter, Matthew Peacock is a research analyst with Aberdeen Investments. He said that the offer was opportunistic and aimed to exploit a temporary drop in the share price to the detriment of long-term shareholders....

Belgian postal operator Bpost, publishers DPG Media, Mediahuis and distributor PPP were 'held liable' for rigging public procurements for newspaper distribution, said the Belgian Competition Watchdog on Friday. Bpost, who had notified the authorities following an internal audit in 2022 that revealed signs of malpractice, would receive full immunity from any fines as part of a leniency program, said the regulator. The investigation cost Dirk Tirez, the then-CEO of the postal group, his job. In a press release, the regulator stated that the common goal of the companies was to make sure that bpost would receive the newspaper distribution concession...

Belgian postal operators Bpost and DPG Media, as well as Mediahuis, were 'held liable' for rigging public procurements?for distribution of newspapers. This was announced by the Belgian competition watchdog on Friday. Bpost, who had notified the authorities following an internal audit in 2022 that revealed signs of malpractice will be exempt from all fines as part of a leniency program, according to the regulator. Dirk Tirez's job was ultimately cost by the investigation. The regulator stated in a?press?release that the common?objective was for the companies to work together in order to make sure that bpost would be awarded the 2023-2027...

The companies announced on Monday that a consortium led by FedEx investors and InPost investors had agreed to purchase the parcel locker business in a deal worth 7.8 billion euros ($9.2 billion). This will allow InPost to expand its reach throughout Europe, while giving FedEx the opportunity to access the locker network. The 15.60 euro offer price per share is a 17% premium over InPost's Friday closing price, but below InPost 2021 IPO's 16 euros. The Amsterdam-listed shares opened at a 14% increase, trading at highs of May 2025. Hein Pretorius is the chair of InPost’s supervisory board. He told...

These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These?stories have not been?verified and we cannot vouch for the accuracy of these stories. A consortium consisting of the U.S. private equity firm Advent International, the logistics company FedEx and investment companies A&R & PPF have agreed to buy Polish parcel delivery provider InPost. The deal is worth $9.22 billion. Innovent Biologics, a Chinese drugmaker, has partnered with Eli Lilly to develop a new treatment that could earn?upwards of $8.5 billion through milestone payments. - Grocery giant Kroger is planning to hire Greg Foran as its new chief executive....

InPost, a parcel?locker provider, reported on Wednesday that its fourth-quarter delivery volumes rose by a record?30% compared to the previous year. The company said that the growth was due to a strong business-to consumer growth, and momentum on its international markets. This was supported by strategic acquisitions made in Britain and Spain. InPost?also?said a special comittee continues to evaluate the?indicative?offer for all of its shares that it received from a?party unnamed, as announced on?6th January. The company reported that in Poland, the fourth-quarter volume rose by 5%, reaching a record high of 220.2 millions parcels. This was largely due to...

European shares rose?on?Tuesday, with indexes from Germany and Spain reaching record highs. Investors were confident about the economy despite increasing geopolitical tensions. STOXX 600, the pan-European stock index, ended 2018 with its biggest gain since 2021. This was largely due to falling interest rates and increased defence spending. Analysts say that while returns this year may not be as great, there is still room for growth. Matthew Sherwood is a senior global economist with Economist Intelligence Unit. There's still a cautious optimism. There are also things in motion that support growth. Goldman Sachs increased its 12-month target price for the...

InPost, a parcel locker company, said that it received a proposal on Tuesday for the potential acquisition of its entire shares. This pushed its share price sharply upwards. InPost declined to disclose the identity of the person who approached them, and said that it was not certain that the proposal would lead to a deal. The spokesperson for the company declined to comment. The company has never publicly stated that it was looking for a purchaser. InPost shares were up 16% as of 0823 GMT,? bringing the market value to approximately 6.7 billion euro ($7.86billion). On Monday, the company's stock...