shares, data, news and earnings
Unemployment in the eurozone remains at a record low, despite the economic downturn
Unemployment across the eurozone remained at a record low in November, despite slowing economic growth across the region.
Unemployment was 6.5% in November, unchanged from October, according to Eurostat data, with a total of 10.97 million people.
The figure is the lowest it has been since records began in 1998, and is in line with economist forecasts published by The Wall Street Journal.
Unemployment is expected to rise in the first half of 2023 as recessionary pressures increase, and is likely to reach 7% by mid-year, according to FactSet, as reported by Reuters.
—Hannah Ward-Glenton
Lidl GB sales up 25% over Christmas; the store expects its customer base to continue to grow
The UK arm of German discount supermarket Lidl reported a 24.5% increase in sales in the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day compared to 2021.
Over 1.3 million more customers shopped at Lidl in the week leading up to December 24 than the previous year, the discount company said.
The store said it expects more customers to switch from other supermarket groups in 2023 as consumers continue to feel the effects of the cost of living crisis.
—Hannah Ward-Glenton
Alibaba leads rise in Hang Seng index, reopening-related stocks in focus
CNBC Pro: Goldman Sachs reveals the stocks that will benefit from an EV boom, giving over 100% upside
Shares of legacy automakers and parts makers will attract new investors as they shift to electric vehicles and green technologies, according to Goldman Sachs.
As traditional car companies increase their share of revenue from new carbon-neutral technologies, they are likely to gradually be included in ESG funds and benefit from a share price rise, the Wall Street bank said.
The investment bank named 13 stocks that will benefit from the new trend, including one that offers over 100% upside:
CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.
– Ganesh Rao
CNBC Pro: Evercore’s Mark Mahaney Reveals His Top Tech Picks for 2023 – Bringing Nearly 200% Upside
Top tech analyst Mark Mahaney has a bullish view on tech stocks after a brutal year for the sector in 2022.
But investors should remain selective, according to the analyst, who revealed three top picks for 2023.
Pro subscribers can read more here.
— Zavier Ong
CNBC Pro: Bank of America just added these biotech stocks to its list of first-quarter picks
BofA has added a number of biotech stocks — a sector hot on Wall Street right now — to its list of top picks for the first quarter.
The bank identified the biotech stocks, as well as some medical technology companies, as part of its thematic investment picks, on themes it says relate to a “transforming world.”
CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.
— Weizhen Tan
European markets: Here are the opening calls
European markets are moving towards a positive opening at the start of the new trading week.
Britain’s FTSE 100 the index is expected to open 24 points higher at 7,723, Germany’s DAX 79 points higher at 14,689, France’s CAC up 32 points to 6,893 and Italy’s FTSE MIB up 91 points to 24,271, according to data from IG.
Data released on Thursday included eurozone unemployment for November, French trade data for November and German industrial production for the same month.
—Holly Ellyatt
