Stock Markets Today, May 13. China Removes Delivery Ban on Boeing Planes, Europe Starts Cautiously
MILAN – After a largely positive session on both sides of the Atlantic, European stock markets are taking a breather and starting cautiously. Macroeconomic news will take center stage, starting with the Zew index on confidence in the German economy, while in the United States, consumer prices will be under special observation, as they could provide the first important indications on the impact on inflation of the duties imposed by US President Donald Trump . Oil is still falling, on fears that an increase in inventories could overshadow the good news on the trade front.
Asian stocks close mixed, Hong Kong and Mumbai down
The main Asian stock markets closed mixed: caution prevailed among investors after the euphoria triggered by the suspension of customs duties between China and the United States, which fueled hopes that the two world economic superpowers would take a step back to avoid a trade war. Tokyo recorded a gain of 1.4% to 38,183.26 points, Shanghai ended with a +0.2% to 3,374.87 points, Seoul rose by 0.04% to 2,608.42 points while Hong Kong lost 1.9% to 23,108.27 points and Mumbai fell by 1.5%.
Mps continues its run on the stock market (+4%), Mediobanca positive
The upward trend on Monte dei Paschi di Siena does not stop on the Milan Stock Exchange: the Tuscan bank's stock is the best in the high-capitalization basket of Piazza Affari with an increase of up to 4% to 8.37 euros, touching again the highest levels in almost three years. Strong trading, which almost reaches 20 million pieces against an already very high average of over 30 million titles of the entire last two sessions. Mediobanca is also positive, among the best stocks on the Milan Stock Exchange, up up to 2% to 21.2 euros. Unicredit is flat, Generali is weak, falling by 0.4%, with Banca Generali calm at 56 euros against a value of the takeover bid launched by Piazzetta Cuccia of 54.1 euros.
EU: “Stop Russian Energy Even with Peace Agreement”
“The European Union is very clear: we do not want energy from Russia in the future. We do not want it now and we will not want it after a peace" between Moscow and Kiev. This was reiterated by the European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jorgensen, upon his arrival at the informal EU Energy Council in Warsaw. Mentioning the roadmap for stopping Russian energy presented last week, Jorgensen reiterated the EU's willingness to say: "Enough of being blackmailed by Russia. Enough of allowing them to use energy as a weapon against us. And enough of indirectly helping Putin to enrich himself. That is why we have decided to stop energy imports from Russia. It is extremely important for our security and it is extremely important for our solidarity with Ukraine", he stressed, recalling that the roadmap will be on the table at the informal meeting.
Unemployment rate rises to 4.5% in March
The UK unemployment rate rose to 4.5% in the January-March 2025 period, higher than the estimate a year ago and up from the 4.4% rise in the last quarter, the UK Office for National Statistics said. Ordinary pay excluding bonuses rose 5.6% year-on-year to £671 a week in March, down from a 5.9% rise in the previous period and below expectations of 5.7%.
Honda: Expects 70% Net Profit Drop in 2025-2026
Japanese auto giant Honda said it expects its net profit to fall 70% to 250 billion yen (1.53 billion euros) in its 2025-2026 fiscal year, which began in early April, largely due to the impact of U.S. customs surcharges. The automaker, Japan's second-largest, estimates the impact of the Trump administration's prohibitive tariffs on its annual operating profit at 450 billion yen (2.74 billion euros).
European stocks open weak and mixed
European stock markets opened weak and mixed. After the US-China agreement on tariffs, caution prevailed. In Frankfurt, the Dax advanced by 0.14% to 23,583.40 points, in London the FTSE 100 lost 0.18% to 8,589.58 points, in Paris the Cac 40 marked -0.03% to 7,847.55 points and in Madrid the Ibex 35 rose by 0.24% to 13,663.08 points. In Milan the FTSE MIB was flat at +0.03%.
Urso: “Necessary to enter into negotiations with the US as done by the UK and China”
"It is necessary to get to the heart of the negotiations with the aim of reducing duties rather than evoking an escalation of reactions, especially in light of what the United Kingdom and China have done". This was stated by the Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, speaking on 24 Mattino on Radio24. "Everyone knows - Urso added - that a trade war would damage the US and the EU and we must provide solutions both on the commercial level and on the transatlantic level such as defense and security. I am certain that reason will prevail and the negotiations will have positive results". As for the European Commission, "we are supporting it in its action", he added.
China lifts delivery ban on Boeing planes
China has lifted a ban on domestic airlines accepting new Boeing planes, after Beijing and Washington agreed to temporarily reduce tariffs in a major de-escalation of their trade war. The U.S. planemaker confirmed last month that Chinese airlines had stopped accepting delivery of new planes due to the massive tariffs imposed by both sides. But Bloomberg News reported on Monday that Chinese officials have begun telling domestic carriers they can resume orders for U.S.-made planes, citing people familiar with the matter. Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The news comes after the two countries said on Monday they would slash tariffs for 90 days and continue negotiations.
Uncertain Asia looks at tariffs, Tokyo does well
Asian and Pacific stock markets are in a state of flux after the first agreements between China and the United States on tariffs. The Tokyo Stock Exchange is heading to the close up 1.6%, while Hong Kong is down 1.3%. Chinese stock markets are flat, as is Seoul, with Sydney up 0.4%. Futures are uncertain about the start of European markets.
Musk's Company Involved in a Mega US Rail Project (Nyt)
The Federal Railroad Administration has brought one of Elon Musk’s ventures, the Boring Company, into a multibillion-dollar project for one of America’s major railroads, Amtrak. Three officials told the New York Times that the agency has asked the world’s richest man’s company to assess the cost and progress of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel program, a new tunnel along a busy Amtrak route that connects Baltimore to Washington and Virginia.
Amtrak initially estimated the development would cost $6 billion, but now estimates it could be as high as $8.5 billion. According to the New York Times , officials from the Department of Transportation, which oversees the Federal Railroad Administration, met with Boring Company executives last month and were assured that the company would find ways to build the tunnel cheaply and efficiently. A Department of Transportation spokesman, Nathaniel Sizemore, confirmed that Musk’s company was one of the firms consulted about the new contract.
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