German stocks - Factors to watch on April 20
FRANKFURT, April 20 The DAX top-30 index looked set to open 0.3 percent lower on Thursday, according to premarket data from brokerage Lang & Schwarz at 0634 GMT.
The following are some of the factors that may move German stocks:
DEUTSCHE BOERSE
Indicated 0.4 percent lower
The exchange operator's Chief Executive Carsten Kengeter is interested in having his contract extended "but I'm not imposing myself," he was quoted as saying by newspaper Handelsblatt.
LUFTHANSA
Indicated 0.5 percent lower
The air freight divisions of Lufthansa and United said they have agreed a joint venture on routes between Europe and the United States to help their respective networks.
THYSSENKRUPP
Indicated 0.3 percent lower
Negotiations between Germany's defence ministry and shipyards Luerssen and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems over the purchase of five corvettes could collapse in a dispute over the 2.9 billion euro ($3.1 billion) price tag, Handelsblatt cited ministry sources as saying.
VOLKSWAGEN
Indicated 0.3 percent lower
The U.S. Justice Department is expected to name Larry Thompson, a deputy attorney general under former President George W. Bush, to serve as independent monitor of VW under a plea agreement over its diesel emissions scandal, a source briefed on the matter said on Wednesday.
STRATEC BIOMEDICAL
No indication available
Annual report published. The group last month raised its dividend to 0.77 euros per share from 0.75 euros as it reported a nearly 20 percent jump in 2016 operating profit to 32.2 million euros.
ZOOPLUS
Indicated 0.7 percent lower
The online retailer for pet supplies confirmed its 2017 sales forecast of at least 1.125 billion euros and reported first-quarter sales rose 24 percent to 257 million euros.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
BEIERSDORF - 0.70 eur/shr dividend proposed
GEA GROUP - 0.80 eur/shr dividend proposed
ANALYSTS' VIEWS
DEUTSCHE BANK - Barclays reinstates with "equal weight" rating; 17 euros price target
SALZGITTER - Jefferies cuts to "hold" rating
OVERSEAS STOCK MARKETS
Dow Jones -0.6 pct, S&P 500 -0.2 pct, Nasdaq +0.2 pct at close.
Nikkei unchanged, Shanghai stocks -0.1 pct.
Time: 6.51 GMT.
GERMAN ECONOMIC DATA
German March producer prices unchanged m/m, +3.1 pct y/y.
EUROPEAN FACTORS TO WATCH
DIARIES
REUTERS TOP NEWS ($1 = 0.9324 euros) (Reporting by Harro ten Wolde and Ludwig Burger)