European markets set to open lower as French political upheaval drags on

Opening calls

The FTSE 100 is expected to open 8 points lower at 8,341 on Friday morning, while the German DAX index is slated to lose 24 points at the opening, according to IG, bringing it down to 20,334.

Meanwhile, IG is predicting that the CAC 40 will open around 8 points lower at 7,322.

— Chloe Taylor

CNBC Pro: Top picks for 2025: Stocks from Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Malaysia among Macquarie’s favorites — all with more than 50% upside

Macquarie has named several Asian companies as its top picks for 2025, with predicted gains ranging from 50% to over 80% in their share prices.

The selection spans multiple sectors including technology, automotive, defense, and power utilities, reflecting the investment bank’s positive view on these industries for the coming year.

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.

— Ganesh Rao

Source

World

CNBC’s The China Connection newsletter: For Chinese businesses, it’s not about which AI is the smartest

February 4, 2026

This report is from this week’s CNBC’s The China Connection newsletter, which brings you insights and analysis on what’s driving the world’s second-largest economy. You can subscribe here. The big story Will the U.S. or China win the artificial intelligence race? That’s the big question for investors wondering where they should put their money. But frequently, […]

UBS beats expectations with .2 billion fourth-quarter profit, plans billion buyback

World

UBS beats expectations with $1.2 billion fourth-quarter profit, plans $3 billion buyback

February 4, 2026

Fabrice Coffrini | AFP | Getty Images UBS announced plans for a $3 billion buyback Wednesday and posted fourth-quarter profits that beat analysts’ forecasts. The Swiss banking giant said it aims to buyback at least $3 billion of shares in 2026, adding that it aims to do more. Net profit attributable to shareholders rose 56% […]

World

Asian software stocks plunge after U.S. peers decline on fears over AI-led disruption

February 4, 2026

Engineer working with statistical analysis report. Digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) concept. Kmatta | Moment | Getty Images Wall Street’s fears around artificial intelligence-driven disruption affecting software companies made their way into Asia on Wednesday, with tech stocks in the region tracking declines overnight in U.S. peers. Japanese software firms in Asia led declines […]