Awaiting Donald Trump’s speech at the Davos Economic Forum, the Bel 20 and its European neighbors remained divided and on the defensive on Thursday, the Brussels index narrowly returning 0.01% to the green at 4,242.74 points. Eight elements of the Bel 20 finished in the red, again led by Elia (61.35) which fell 4.59% despite a buy recommendation. Azelis (19.19) and Lotus Bakeries (10,220) followed with drops of 1.74 and 3.04%, Melexis (60.80) and Galapagos (22.78) falling by 1.22 and 0.70%.
Brokers’ opinions on Solvay, CFE and Melexis:
Solvay (-1.64% to 29.47 euros) was maintained “neutral” at UBS, the Swiss banker’s target being however lowered from 34 to 32 euros before the publication of the results for the fourth quarter. “All eyes will be on the prices of sodium carbonate in Europe for the year 2025,” estimates the analyst. “We expect a decline of 2% in operating profit in 2025, due to uncertainty over the prices that will be applied at the European level. In the absence of an improvement in volumes, we could have stable prices “.
CFE (+0.31% to 6.40 euros) was raised from “neutral” to “outperform” at ODDO BHF, the target remaining unchanged at 8 euros. The analyst believes that the correction was too significant, and that it is time to take advantage of the attractive valuation to return to the file. He raised his profit expectations for the current year and expects an improvement in market conditions. “We do not exclude that the main shareholders (AvH and Vinci) buy out minority shareholders during the year.”
Melexis (-1.22% to 60.80 euros) was raised from “accumulate” to “buy” at KBC Securities, with an unchanged target at 85 euros. The analyst highlights that the market continues to experience a correction in reserves, which puts pressure on turnover and margins, with an end to the inventory adjustment expected to occur from the second half of the year. “We think the market could start to anticipate earnings recovery in 2026.”
-Donald Trump attacks Europe: “Things will have to change”
“I will ask OPEC to lower the cost of oil”
Oil prices fell on Thursday, weighed down by Donald Trump’s statements inviting Saudi Arabia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to lower prices. “I will ask Saudi Arabia and OPEC to lower the cost of oil,” affirmed the American president during an online speech to an audience of big bosses at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “I am frankly surprised that they did not do it before the election. Not doing it was not really a proof of love”then estimated Mr. Trump.
Black gold prices instantly reacted downward. Up slightly before the American president’s declaration, around 4:45 p.m. GMT (5:45 p.m. in Paris), the price of a barrel of Brent from the North Sea, for delivery in March, lost 0.87% to $78.31. Its American equivalent, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate, for delivery the same month, fell 1.07% to $74.63.
