This Friday, European equity markets are expected to open slightly higher as investors await the next developments on the tariff front.

The air carrier Air France-KLM announced that it had issued 500 million euros in hybrid bonds, with a coupon of 5.75% until the first adjustment date.

Rubis announced on Friday that Compagnie Nationale de Navigation had requested the inclusion of two resolutions on the agenda of the next general meeting, proposing the appointment of Patrick Molis and Anne Lauvergeon as members of the supervisory board for a term of three years.

Rubis announced on Thursday evening the resignation of Nils Christian Bergene from his duties as Chairman of the Supervisory Board and his replacement by Marc-Olivier Laurent, with immediate effect.
The petroleum products distribution group said in a press release that “the management welcomes” these applications and the supervisory board will meet on May 21, 2025 to examine these requests, on which it will issue

The office real estate company Gecina announced on Thursday evening that it had concluded a promise to acquire office buildings in the central business district of Paris for an amount of 435 million euros.

ArcelorMittal has given guarantees of its desire to perpetuate its French steel sites, by reaffirming its “intention” to invest in decarbonization in Dunkerque (North), without however abandoning its draft social plan in France, AFP reported Thursday evening. Subject to Brussels implementing its measures to protect European steel, the steel manufacturer confirmed in a press release “its intention to invest in a first electric oven, at its Dunkerque site, for an amount of around 1.2 billion euros

The gas and electricity supplier Engie announced Thursday evening that it had signed an agreement to sell a stake in its battery power storage facilities in Texas and California to funds managed by CBRE Investment Management.

The unemployment rate in France as defined by the International Labour Office (ILO) increased by 0.1 percentage point in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter to reach 7.4%, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) reported on Friday.

The real estate group Icade announced Thursday evening that it had placed 500 million euros in green bonds due May 2035.
The companies Michelin, Mersen, Thales and Dassault Aviation are bringing their shareholders together for a general meeting on Friday.
Around 7:50 a.m., the CAC 40 futures contract was up 0.1%, according to data from broker IG.

European futures suggested a mixed opening. Investors continue to analyze the impact of tariff developments.

According to data from broker IG, the DAX 40 futures contract in Frankfurt was up 0.1%, as was the FTSE 100 in London. According to Megan Horneman, chief investment officer at Verdence Capital Advisors, “consumers are slowing their spending and running

In Asia, the Nikkei 225 index on the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 0.1% at the end of trading on Friday, while the Japanese economy contracted for the first time in a year in the first quarter of 2025. Over the period, the country's gross domestic product fell by 0.2% over one year, according to a first official estimate published by the government on Friday.

The two-year stock rate was 3.95%. Around 7:50 a.m., the 10-year US Treasury bond rate was almost stable at 4.43%. The volatility of US Treasuries has decreased. Jeff Blazek and Erik Knutzen, co-investment directors for multi-asset strategies at Neuberger Berman, reported that the spread of US Treasuries versus swap rates, an indicator of market stress,

The greenback lost 0.3% against the Japanese currency, to 145.25 yen. Around 7:50am, the euro rose by 0.3% to 1.1214 dollars.

Thanks to a possible technical recovery after recording consecutive losses overnight, oil futures are up slightly.

Ray Attrill of NAB commented that the fall in oil prices on Thursday came after “President Donald Trump indicated that the United States could be close to a deal in which Iran agrees to renounce nuclear weapons.” For the head of currency research, “if there is an agreement that results in the lifting of sanctions, Iran has the capacity to produce around 4 million barrels of oil per day, compared to around 1.4 million barrels currently

Around 7:50 a.m., the July contract for North Sea Brent traded in London gained 8 cents, or 0.1%, to 64.61 dollars per barrel. The June contract for light sweet crude (WTI) listed on Nymex rose 8 cents, or 0.1%, to $61.70