Euronext Reports Strong Q1 2026 Results With 16.7% Profit Growth Across European Exchanges

Euronext, Europe’s leading continental stock exchange operator, reported strong Q1 2026 results with 16.7% net profit growth to 192.3 million euros and 15.3% revenue growth to 528.5 million euros. Equity market revenues surged 28.1% to 138.9 million euros, driven by high volatility and strong ETF growth, including contributions from the recently completed Athens Stock Exchange acquisition completed in late 2025. The company also noted benefits from the largest defense IPO in history (Czech Republic’s Czechoslovak Group) in January 2026.

EDP Renováveis to Exit Brazil Operations Through €683 Million Sale to Parent Company

EDP announced the integration of EDP Renováveis Brasil (1.8 GW installed capacity: 1.1 GW onshore wind and 0.7 GW solar utility scale) into its subsidiary EDP Brasil for approximately 4.1 billion reais (€700 million equity value, €1.5 billion enterprise value). This restructuring allows EDPR to concentrate on higher-growth markets in the US and Europe, increasing the weight of A-rated markets from 90% to over 95% of EBITDA. The transaction is expected to close by end of 2026.

Benfica Prepares to Block American Investor Tim Leiweke’s Stake Acquisition Over Competing Club Interests

Benfica is considering blocking American investor Tim Leiweke’s €10+ per share acquisition of a 16% stake in Benfica SAD, citing article 13 of club statutes that allow rejection of acquisitions by investors with competing interests. Leiweke and his daughter lead a consortium that recently invested €100 million in Italian club Venezia FC.

Sweden Orders Four Frigates from French Naval Group in Historic 3.5 Billion Euro Defense Deal

Sweden has ordered four FDI-class frigates from French defense company Naval Group for over 3.5 billion euros, marking the country’s largest military investment since the 1980s. The first frigate is expected to be delivered in 2030. This order comes as Sweden, which joined NATO in 2024, seeks to strengthen its armed forces to secure the Baltic Sea amid Russian threats following the invasion of Ukraine. Naval Group is also competing to supply frigates to the Portuguese Navy.

Monzo hits £1bn gross profit milestone as UK digital bank accelerates European expansion into Spain

Monzo, the London-based digital bank, has achieved £1bn in gross profit for the first time and announced its third consecutive year of profitability with a 20% rise in adjusted profit before tax to £172.6m. The fintech is expanding aggressively across Europe, having launched in Ireland in April with 100k customers on the waitlist and announcing Spain as its next market with offices in Barcelona and Madrid. The bank recorded 3m new customers this year and saw business banking customers grow 45% to over 905k.

Mistral Acquires Austrian AI Startup Emmi AI to Strengthen Industrial Applications Portfolio

Paris-based Mistral has acquired Austrian startup Emmi AI, which develops foundational AI models trained with physics laws to simulate complex engineering processes. This is Mistral’s second acquisition in three months, following the February acquisition of French startup Koyeb. Emmi, created a year ago, raised a €15m seed round and has over 30 employees who will join Mistral. The acquisition demonstrates Mistral’s shift toward vertical specialization in industrial AI.

European Commission Selects EQT to Manage €5bn Scaleup Europe Fund for Deeptech Innovation

The European Commission selected Swedish investment firm EQT to manage its new €5bn Scaleup Europe Fund focused on European deeptech startups. EQT won the mandate over finalists Atomico and other competitors. Around €2.5bn has been committed as of year-end, with €1bn from the EIC and €1.5bn from private limited partners including Novo Holdings, CriteriaCaixa, Santander/Mouro Capital, APG Asset Management, and the Wallenberg family.

Commerzbank Board Rejects UniCredit’s €39 Billion Takeover Bid, Urges Shareholders to Decline

Commerzbank formally rejected UniCredit’s takeover bid valued at €39 billion, claiming it undervalues the bank by 5.6% and carries significant risks. The board recommended shareholders reject the stock exchange proposal, citing vague integration plans and unrealistic synergy estimates. Commerzbank is promoting its independent ‘Momentum 2030’ strategy instead.

Ryanair Reports Record €2.26 Billion Net Profit as Fuel Hedging Strategy Shields Against Market Volatility

Ryanair announced record net profits of €2.26 billion for fiscal year 2026 (ending March 31), a 40% increase driven by reduced expenses and higher revenues from passenger growth and fares. The airline projects stable ticket prices during peak summer months and increasing confidence in jet fuel supply despite Middle East tensions. The company’s conservative fuel hedging strategy (80% of FY2027 fuel hedged at $67/barrel) protects margins as spot prices exceed $150/barrel. CEO Michael O’Leary’s contract extension negotiations through 2032 are nearing completion.