US MARKETS:

-S&P 500 futures up 0.5% to 2,723.00
-Brent futures up 0.8% to $62.01/bbl
-Gold spot up 0.4% to $1,312.82
-US Dollar Index little changed at 97.08

GLOBAL NEWS:

Earnings season. In Europe, Kering, ThyssenKrupp, Metro, Randstad, TUI, Ingenico, Natixis, Vontobel, Orpea, X-Fab are among companies reporting earnings. America Movil, Occidental Petroleum, Activision Blizzard, Shopify or Molson Coors in North America.

Tough. Brussels could block the merger between ThyssenKrupp and Tata Steel, Reuters learned from a well-informed source, in the absence of additional commitments. Both companies are expected to receive a statement of objections this week, a sign that antitrust has arguments against the transaction.

IAG will remain European. International Consolidated Airlines (British Airways, Iberia) wants to continue to limit the proportion of its capital held by non-European shareholders, in order to maintain its status as a European airline, even in the event of Brexit, since regulations require EU nationals to be in the majority.

Michelin exceeded expectations, while confirming the uncertainties weighing on the 2019 vintage. This should not prevent the tyre manufacturer from improving its operating income excluding currency fluctuations and generating free cash flow of more than €1.45 billion. The title flames at the opening.

Top of the range. The results published by Kering are also remarkable, driven by Gucci. Will this be enough to dispel doubts about Chinese growth? Not sure, since the share fell sharply in the first exchanges... before rising sharply again after management comments.

Four in a row. EssilorLuxottica is acquiring four companies in Europe and Latin America, including Brille24 in Germany, in line with rumors that were circulating yesterday. The group is pursuing its usual strategy by carrying out small transactions, which together will generate 48 million euros in annual revenue.

Senard on a mission. Renault's new president, Jean-Dominique Senard, will travel to Japan this week to discuss the Alliance's future with Nissan's CEO. "I appreciate the weight of the responsibility that rests on my shoulders in this case," he assured the interested party on the sidelines of Michelin's results, the latest he presented. At the same time, Nissan lowered its guidance for the year ended March 31, after a bad quarter.

In other news. Adyen, KKR and Altice USA joined the MSCI World Index on February 28. At Colgate Palmolive, Noel Wallace replaces Ian Cook. IDC estimates that Apple's iPhone sales fell by 20% in China in the 4th quarter. Redditt valued at $3 billion after a new round of funding, DoorDash between $6 billion and $7 billion. Softbank is investing $940 million in autonomous vehicles. T. Rowe Price halved his stake in Tesla to 5.2%. Amazon acquires Eero, a specialist in home wifi. Brands International Restaurant (Burger King, Tim Hortons...) wants to grow outside the United States.