Earnings season. Brown-Forman, Evonik, Eurofins, Brenntag, Helvetia, Elis, Somfy, Dormakaba, Dialog Semiconductor and Ontex are among companies reporting their results today.

GE impacted. General Electric announced today that the coronavirus epidemic is expected to result in a loss of 300 to 500 million dollars on its cash flow in the first quarter. However, it confirmed its annual profit forecast.

Concessions around the Libra. According to the latest rumors, Facebook is considering reviewing the basis of its Libra currency to convince reluctant regulators. According to The Informations, the Californian could offer digital versions of major currencies, such as the dollar or the euro, in addition to its own cryptocurrecny. A Facebook spokesman confirmed that the company was working on currencies backed by government currencies. The ambitious Libra project has provoked an outcry from regulators, leading to the withdrawal of some important partners. Need a reminder: our videos on the launch of the Libra and the criticisms it received are available.

Covéa in reinsurance. Exor sells PartnerRe to Covéa for $9bn (around €7.3bn). "Covéa today approved a memorandum of understanding with Exor, concerning the project to acquire in cash all of the ordinary shares making up PartnerRe's capital", said the French group, which wants to accelerate its diversification, after having failed to convince Scor to be part of its project. Exor had bought PartnerRe for $3.7 billion in 2016.

New corona warning. Hewlett Packard Enterprise lowers its free cash flow forecast, because of the disruptions generated in its supply chain by the coronavirus. 2020 revenues are not expected to grow. The group joins the long list of companies that have warned that the global epidemic will have financial consequences.

Intu abandons its fundraising. After months of discussions, Intu Properties has decided not to launch a capital increase due to the current uncertainty in the markets. Management assures that existing shareholders and new investors were ready to jump on board, but there were not enough of them to reach the desired amount of £1 to £1.5 billion. During the discussions, however, the UK property company has been building relationships for alternative financing measures and asset disposals.

In other news. Newell Brands is the subject of an SEC investigation into its accounting practices. Dormakaba's half-year results are contracting. Helvetia announces improved results and the success of its strategy with a dividend increased to CHF 5. JPMorgan Chase is to conduct a full-scale test of the ability of the facility to function by leaving some of its employees at home to work remotely because of the coronavirus. Bossard, whose annual profitability has contracted, does not provide financial targets for 2020.