• Apple is reportedly planning to release a slimmer iPhone in 2025, as per The Information. Additionally, Apple has initiated a significant promotional campaign in China, offering discounts of up to 2,300 yuan ($318) on select iPhone models to compete with local high-end market players like Huawei.
  • Tesla is seeking to mitigate the frustration of certain European car rental firms that have seen the value of their fleets decrease due to Tesla's repeated price reductions, compounded by complaints about slow service and high repair costs.
  • The first crewed flight of Boeing's Starliner capsule has been delayed once more.
  • Pfizer has been awarded $107.5 million from AstraZeneca in a U.S. patent lawsuit concerning a cancer drug.
  • A Johnson & Johnson-backed startup named Rapport has filed for an IPO in the United States.
  • Citigroup has repurchased $2 billion worth of bonds that are due to mature in 2025.
  • EQT is in discussions to acquire Keywords Studios for $2.8 billion, reports the Financial Times.
  • Iberdrola has acquired the remaining portion of U.S. utility Avangrid for $2.6 billion.
  • AstraZeneca intends to construct a $1.5 billion manufacturing facility in Singapore.
  • Joint electric vehicle development plans by Volkswagen and Renault have been scrapped, according to Reuters.
  • Ryanair's profits have surged to €1.92 billion in 2024.
  • The second-largest investor in Sabadell supports a takeover bid by BBVA.
  • Telefonica is reportedly considering a takeover bid for Avatel Telecom, as per Bloomberg.
  • Siemens Energy is looking to divest the Indian wind turbine division of Gamesa.
  • Cellnex Telecom has secured an extension for a share exchange agreement tied to 150 million euros of debt.
  • Workers at the Mercedes plant in Alabama have voted against unionization.
  • A Russian court has seized assets belonging to Deutsche Bank as part of a legal dispute.
  • Microsoft is set to reveal new consumer products, including updated versions of its Surface Pro tablet and Surface Laptop, equipped with Qualcomm chips based on Arm Holdings architecture, at an event on its Redmond, Washington campus.
  • The Gold Sector sees a rise as mining stocks like Newmont, Barrick Gold, Gold Fields, AngloGold Ashanti Harmony Gold, Agnico Eagle Mines, and Kinross Gold increase by 1.4% to 3.6% before the market opening, with gold reaching a record high.
  • The Banking Sector may experience a significant reduction in certain prudential ratios for major banks, as the U.S. Federal Reserve and two other regulators are considering changes, according to the Wall Street Journal.
  • JPMorgan Chase has set a target for net interest income of $91 billion for the year, as announced in an investor presentation.
  • Paramount shares rose 3% in pre-market trading after Apollo Global Management and Sony Pictures Entertainment signed confidentiality agreements to review the company's financials before a potential bid, though they have dropped their initial plan to make a $26 billion cash offer for Paramount.
  • Johnson Controls International's shares increased by 4.6% in premarket trading following news that activist investor Elliott Investment Management has acquired a stake worth over $1 billion in the company.
  • Novavax's stock rose by 1.7% in premarket trading as Shah Capital dropped its campaign against the re-election of three directors on the company's board.
  • Alphabet has announced plans to invest an additional €1 billion in expanding its data center campus in Finland to enhance its artificial intelligence (AI) business growth in Europe.
  • Instructure could be sold by private equity firm Thoma Bravo, which is considering divesting its 83% stake in the educational software provider valued at $3 billion.
  • Didi Global's co-founder Jean Liu has stepped down from her roles as president and board member to become a "permanent partner," as stated in an internal memo.
  • General Dynamics has secured a $185 million contract to deliver cybersecurity services to the US Air Force.
  • KKR has completed the acquisition of Mdf Commerce.

Today's main earnings reports: Palo Alto Networks, Trip.com, Keysight Technologies... The full earnings calendar is here.