SLOVENIA
Telekom secures EIB loan to expand fibre optic network
Ljubljana, 17 December - Telekom Slovenije has signed a loan agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) worth up to EUR 100 million for the expansion of its fibre optic network through 2023. (STA)
Petrol expects EUR 104m in profit next year
Ljubljana, 18 December - Energy group Petrol expects EUR 3.5 billion in sales revenue and EUR 104.4 million in net profit next year. The achievement of these goals will depend on the post-pandemic recovery, the underlying assumption being that the pandemic will be contained in the first half of 2021, the company said on Friday. (STA)
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
Stocks close at record highs as traders bet that a fiscal stimulus deal is coming; European stocks close higher on supportive Fed; Signature Aviation skyrockets 40%; BELEX15 down 0.17%
Stocks closed at record levels on Thursday, boosted by hope of Washington coming through on additional fiscal aid before the end of 2020. The S&P 500 gained 0.6% to end the day at 3,722.48, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.8% to 12,764.75. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 148.83 points, or 0.5%, to 30,303.37. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit intraday and closing records. The Dow posted its highest-ever closing level.
On Thursday, data showed jobless claims totaled 885,000 last week, hitting their highest level since early September. Economists expected 808,000 workers sought state jobless benefits during the week ended Dec. 12.
European stocks closed higher on Thursday as traders reacted positively to comments from the U.S. Federal Reserve that it will continue to support the economy. The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally closed up by around 0.4%, with retail shares adding 2.1% to lead gains as most sectors and major bourses advanced.
In terms of individual share price action, British aviation firm Signature Aviation skyrocketed 40% to lead the Stoxx 600 after confirming it was in talks with Blackstone for a possible cash takeover offer of $5.17 a share. At the other end of the index, Austrian chipmaker AMS slid nearly 5%.
BELEX15 was down 0.17% as Tehnogas was down 3.5%, while 1.3% loss at Jedinstvo also contributed. IN addition, Jedinstvo reported new round of own shares buyback – 55 pieces at a price of RSD 6.800 per share. The most active name was Fitofarmacija, with RSD 1.9m in volume. (CNBC, ILIRIKA)
