Friday, 21 February 2025
The Mighty Headlines
Economics: Consumer confidence increases in the EU
Business: Amazon takes control of the James Bond franchise
Markets: Airbus shares fall after weaker earnings
Foreign Affairs: Saudi Arabia gathers leaders today to talk about Gaza
Security and intelligence: President Zelensky meets US envoy
Domestic politics: UK announces £67 million for cultural projects
The Mighty Stats
FTSE = 8,662.97 (down 0.57 per cent)
S&P 500 = 6,117.52 (down 0.43 per cent)
Nasdaq = 19,962.36 (down 0.47 per cent)
CAC40 = 8,122.58 (up 0.15 per cent)
£1 = $1.27 / €1.21
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The Mighty Detail
Economics: Consumer confidence in the EU and the Eurozone have both increased this month. Consumer confidence in the EU increased by 0.4 points to -12.9 and by 0.6 in the eurozone to -13.6 in February. Confidence remains, however, below the long-term average.
Business: Amazon MGM studios has taken creative control of the James Bond franchise from longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson. Amazon purchased Bond’s parent studio MGM in 2022. Broccoli, whose father Albert Broccoli launched the films in 1962, will remain a co-owner of the franchise with Michael Wilson and Amazon.
Markets: Shares in Airbus fell by 2 per cent during trading yesterday. Although the aircraft manufacturer posted increased revenues of €69.23 billion for 2024, its adjusted earnings fell by 8 per cent to €5.35 billion. The fall has been partly linked to an ongoing restructuring of Airbus’s space division. The company expects adjusted earnings of €7 billion this year.
Foreign Affairs: Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), is today expected to host leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and the UAE to discuss the future of Gaza. MBS acts as the de factor leader of Saudi Arabia and is seeking a counter proposal to President Trump’s relocation plan for Gaza residents.
Security and intelligence: President Zelensky met US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg yesterday. A press conference was cancelled at the US’s request. There are reports the Kellogg is being sidelined by the Trump administration. Separately, France’s Emmanuel Macron and the UK’s Sir Keir Starmer will visit the White House on Monday and Thursday respectively.
Domestic politics: The UK Government has announced £67 million for cultural projects in the UK. This includes £15 million for the National Railway Museum in York and £10 million for a project that will be home to British Library North.
The Mighty Calendar
What’s happening today?
Scottish Labour conference begins
UK government borrowing data (January)
UK retail sales data (January)
UK, US, Eurozone manufacturing and services growth data (February)
Company results from: EDF, Standard Chartered
Lookahead to the weekend
Saturday
March for Ukraine demonstration, London
UK Athletics Indoor Championship (ends Sunday)
Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon
Rugby Six Nations: Wales vs Ireland, Cardiff
Rugby Six Nations: England vs Scotland, Twickenham
Sunday
German parliamentary elections
Screen Actors Guild Awards, Los Angeles
Rugby Six Nations: Italy vs France, Rome
The Mighty Finale
🌤️Weather today
Rain (in a word!). Everywhere. High of 15C and low of 10C in London. Rain in Belfast and Edinburgh too.
✏️Life coaching quote of the day
“Happiness is not reaching your goal. Happiness is being on the way.” – Ingvar Kamprad, founder of IKEA
Mighty takeaway: Try to enjoy the here and now instead of focusing on the past or the future.
That’s it for this morning. We’ll see you next week.
Adios!
The Mighty Memo team