Waadtländer Minister Valérie Dittli faces opposition from another committee within her centrist party, but she has unconditional support from a well-connected former FDP member and winemaker, Philippe Gex, who has been mobilizing supporters for her campaign for a year.
Nestlé Portugal, present for over a century, contributes 971 million euros to the national economy, employment, and development, reinforcing its socioeconomic role in the country.
Nestlé is reportedly eyeing a billion-dollar market with new AI-developed products designed to combat muscle loss or sagging facial skin, commonly referred to as 'Ozempic face'.
Nestlé is facing increasing pressure in Russia, with five of its companies potentially being placed under compulsory administration, causing a reaction in its stock.
Nestlé Nigeria's Empowering Rural Women Initiative marks its five-year milestone by expanding support to 50 women retailers in Zaria, Kaduna State, providing business training and product grants.
Nestlé Ghana has initiated its new Nescafé campaign, ‘My Coffee, My Vibe’, at the University of Ghana, Legon, aiming to engage young consumers through music, talent, and self-expression.
Matrix Asset Advisors has made changes to its Large Cap Value Portfolio, adding Abbott Laboratories (ABT) and McDonald's (MCD) to its holdings. Concurrently, the firm has exited its position in Nestlé (NSRGY).
The CEO of Nestlé is under pressure to divest the company's water business, a move described as long overdue. Numerous scandals have reportedly damaged the entire corporation's image, making the exit from the water sector a critical step.
Nestlé shares experienced their largest plunge since the dot-com bust, attributed to weak sales volume and the impact of high coffee and cocoa prices on profits. This shattered hopes for a quick turnaround for the company.
Dassault Systemes reported non-GAAP EPS of €0.31 and revenue of €1.56B, beating estimates, while Nestlé S.A. reported non-GAAP EPS of CHF 2.22 and revenue of CHF 43.11B. Both companies reaffirmed their financial outlooks for 2026.
Swiss conglomerate Nestlé is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to sell a stake in its €5 billion Perrier water business, which includes brands like San Pellegrino, to Platinum Equity.
The El Niño weather phenomenon is projected to worsen, posing a significant threat to global food production, with a Nestlé executive anticipating continued high coffee prices.
Nestlé announced plans to construct a new coffee factory in Thailand following the conclusion of its joint venture, marking a strategic investment in the region.
The Sarajevo Street Food Market hosted a cooking workshop for children and parents, part of Nestlé's 'Zdravo!' program, promoting healthy eating through interactive activities and a positive atmosphere.
India's food safety regulator, FSSAI, has issued notices to companies including Nestlé, KFC, Flipkart, and Open Secret. The action follows numerous consumer complaints regarding contaminated products and hygiene issues.
Nestlé has announced a reduction in its planned job cuts in Spain, as part of a broader global restructuring initiative that previously included up to 178 positions in France.
The Market Control Authority has imposed a fine of almost 3 million euros on Nestlé Hellas. The penalty was issued for exceeding the permitted profit margins on its products.
Nestlé is reportedly shifting its business strategy to prioritize pet food over baby food, as declining birth rates lead to reduced demand for infant products, while pet owners increasingly spend more on their animals.
Péter Noszek, the managing director of Nestlé, discussed domestic production, the specifics of the Hungarian market, and Nestlé's entry into the Eastern European market in 1991 during an interview.
Nestlé is producing baby food in Portugal, collaborating with local farmers to implement regenerative agriculture practices for a more sustainable future.
The Eurovision Song Contest marked its 70th anniversary, with celebrations and reflections on its history. Past winners and participants shared their experiences and the enduring appeal of the competition.
Nestlé Senegal has published a notice of expression of interest, suggesting potential new projects, partnerships, or procurement opportunities within the company.
A new investigation analyzed samples of Nestlé and Danone baby food products, detecting up to 54 microplastic particles per gram in yogurt pouches and up to 99 in fruit puree pouches.
Greenpeace has reported finding thousands of microplastic particles in baby food pouches from international brands like Nestlé and Danone, prompting calls for further investigation in Austria.
French authorities carried out surprise searches at several Nestlé Waters sites. The searches are part of an ongoing investigation into the company's practices.
French authorities have conducted raids on the facilities of Perrier and its parent company Nestlé in France. The action is part of an investigation into allegations of misleading consumers.
Rotary International has awarded Olusegun Osunkeye its highest honor, "Service Above Self," recognizing his decades of work in polio eradication efforts in Niger.
Nestlé is implementing a strategy to transform creator-generated content into brand-suitable advertisements at scale. This approach allows the company to effectively utilize user-generated content for marketing campaigns.
Nestlé has commenced job reductions across its European operations, as part of a broader strategy to eliminate 16,000 positions worldwide. Specific cuts include 260 jobs in Germany and up to 180 in France.
An analysis reveals how Nestlé's once pioneering business operations in China have fallen into disarray, highlighting significant challenges for the company.
Keurig Dr Pepper has renewed its partnership with Nestlé USA for the distribution of Starbucks K-Cup pods, continuing their collaboration in the coffee market.
Nestlé's new president, Pablo Isla, has stated that the food conglomerate needs to improve its outreach to younger customers and shared his vision for the company's future in an interview.
Nestlé has created a dedicated 'Stolen KitKat Tracker' website to help locate 12 tons of its chocolate products that were stolen, asking consumers to enter codes from wrappers.
Nestlé has confirmed the theft of nearly 12 tons of KitKat chocolates in Europe and has developed tracking software to locate the 413,793 stolen chocolate bars, causing a stir across the continent.
A massive heist involving over 400,000 KitKat bars, stolen from a truck traveling from Italy to Poland, was successfully transformed into a viral marketing moment, showcasing how the company turned a bad PR situation to its advantage. The Wall Street Journal further detailed how this incident became a crisis PR gold for Nestlé.
Nestlé has confirmed the theft of 12 tons of KitKat chocolate, approximately 414,000 bars, during transit from Italy to Poland, but assures consumers that Easter supply will not be affected despite the ongoing investigation.
Pablo Isla, President of Nestlé's Board of Directors, has produced an action thriller titled 'Agent Zeta,' which, despite not being a masterpiece, serves as a valuable lesson in engaging a global audience.
Nestlé Morocco has moved to reassure parents that its infant formula products sold in the country are safe and unrelated to a sweeping international recall triggered by cereulide contamination.
The…
Nestlé Ghana celebrated its International Women’s Day (IWD) with a call for renewed action to address persistent gaps in gender equality, particularly in leadership, workplace culture and well-being.
MANILA, Philippines—The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday said the controlled destruction of infant formula products, earlier recalled by Nestlé Philippines, began this week, marking…
Swiss food giant Nestlé is facing criticism after an NGO investigation found its Cerelac infant cereal sold in Africa contains high amounts of added sugar, while the same product is sold without added sugar in Europe.
Nestlé Nigeria announced its financial results for 2025, reporting N1.2 trillion in revenue, a N105 billion net profit, and a rebound to N12.9 billion in positive equity.
Alyssa Powell/BI
Meet the up-and-coming marketing power players of 2026.
These rising leaders are driving growth for brands like Meta and Coca-Cola.
They're mastering tech like generative AI and creating inspiring work to reach new audiences.
The next generation of marketing leaders is helping brands navigate an industry being rocked by new tech and a changing competitive landscape.
Business Insider is highlighting 16 rising stars who are looking to take the industry to new heights. They're...
Russian bombardments on Kyiv have resulted in at least 16 deaths and dozens of injuries, prompting Ukraine to urgently request additional Patriot missile systems to bolster its critically depleted air defenses. Ukrainian officials also suggest that Putin is unwilling to negotiate, believing Ukraine will not withstand the upcoming winter.
A Russian firm has reportedly requested the Kremlin to place Nestlé's units in Russia under temporary management, indicating potential state intervention in foreign-owned assets.
A report indicates that Nestlé could lose control of five of its Russian subsidiaries after a local logistics company reportedly asked President Vladimir Putin to place them under temporary state administration.
Nestlé is developing new products specifically for consumers using GLP-1 weight-loss medications, aiming to tap into a potentially lucrative market. The company sees a billion-dollar opportunity in catering to the dietary needs of individuals on these drugs.
Prosecutors in Austria are investigating Nestlé and Danone in connection with contaminated baby milk products. The investigation focuses on potential issues with the safety of their infant formula.
Nestlé believes that the scientific names of ingredients are intimidating to consumers and plans to replace them with more understandable terms, such as 'Vitamin C' instead of 'ascorbic acid' and 'Vitamin A' instead of 'beta-carotene'.
Binvest and Nestlé have entered into a strategic partnership to distribute and develop sales of NESCAFÉ products in the HoReCa channel in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A commentary piece argues that while Nestlé has made improvements in adapting to new consumer realities, such as selling off mineral water brands, the company's overall pace of transformation remains too slow.
Nestlé has spun off its Buxton and Perrier water arm into a £4.2 billion joint venture with a private equity firm. This move sees the food giant divesting a significant portion of its mineral water business.
Nestlé has reached an agreement to sell a stake in its water unit, as the company shifts its focus towards coffee, which is now leading its growth strategy.
Kwabena Adaakwa, Category Manager for Nutrition and Dairy at Nestlé Ghana, has been internationally recognized among top performers in the Zone AOA Mini MBA in Brand Management programme.
Global food giant Nestlé plans to close its confectionery factory in Diósgyőr, Hungary, after more than 60 years of operation, citing a significant drop in demand for its products.
A list of five influential individuals, ranging from former drug lord El Mayo to Nestlé CEO Philipp Navratil, are highlighted as important figures to monitor throughout the week.
Nestlé Hellas anticipates a further deterioration in profitability for 2025, a significant reduction in dividends for the past year, and increased pressure from regulatory fines totaling 3.13 million euros.
Former Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe is engaged in a legal battle to reclaim millions and restore his reputation after being dismissed from his position due to a concealed love affair.
Nestlé is set to launch a new KitKat product featuring Wildfarmed 'regeneratively farmed' wheat, highlighting a move towards more sustainable sourcing in its confectionery.
Nespresso has announced plans to cut up to 178 positions in France starting in 2027, as part of a broader Nestlé initiative to eliminate 16,000 jobs worldwide.
Nestlé has finalized an agreement with unions to reduce 242 jobs in Spain, a 20% decrease from the initially proposed number, and has opened the door for voluntary departures.
Nestlé has acquired Yfood, a German provider of meal replacement drinks, as part of its strategy to rejuvenate its brand and cater to the preferences of a new generation.
Nestlé has announced its intention to fully acquire Yfood, a company specializing in ready-to-drink meal products, expanding its portfolio in the nutrition sector.
The CEO of Nestlé announced that the company expects to see improved profit margins due to a decrease in the costs of key commodities like coffee and cocoa.
Nestlé Nigeria hosted its 2026 Nestlé for Good Summit, bringing together leaders for a cross-sector dialogue. The summit focused on discussing collaborative solutions aimed at improving public nutrition outcomes in Nigeria.
Nestlé Ghana and ECOM Ghana have jointly handed over a new six-unit classroom block to the Adarkwa Methodist Primary School, supporting education in cocoa-growing communities.
Nestlé is increasingly focusing on cold coffee products like iced lattes, responding to a booming global trend, particularly popular among Generation Z consumers.
A Greenpeace investigation revealed the presence of microplastics in baby food products from major brands such as Nestlé and Danone. Some tested squeeze pouches were found to contain over 11,000 plastic particles.
Sites belonging to Nestlé Waters, specifically Perrier and Vittel, were subjected to unannounced inspections as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged deception.
Nestlé plans to cut 178 jobs in its Spanish operations, with more than half of these layoffs concentrated in Catalunya. The affected sites include offices in Barcelona and plants in Girona and Reus.
Nestlé, the world's largest food company, marked two decades of business in Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing its commitment to creating shared value for society.
The Czech Republic has recalled 120 batches of baby dairy products, including some from Nestlé, Danone, and Lactalis, after discovering cereulide toxin which can cause nausea and vomiting in infants.
Nestlé faces penalties as consumers avoid its baby food due to contamination, a situation that also bodes ill for its competitor, Hipp, despite Nestlé's plans to regain trust.
Chinese distributors are seeking refunds from Nestlé, alleging the Swiss giant oversupplied the market as demand dropped, leading to disarray in its pioneering China business.
Nestlé's new president, Pablo Isla, discusses the company's improved strategic positioning, identifying areas for growth and plans to rejuvenate the brand after two CEO changes.
Herdez has transferred control of Nestlé Mexico's ice cream business to Froneri, marking a significant change in the ownership and operation of the brand in the region.
A truck carrying twelve tons of KitKat chocolate has been stolen, sparking widespread online interest and discussions about how negative news can be transformed into compelling narratives.
Domino's UK has announced a 'KitKat pizza,' following reports of 12 tonnes of Nestlé chocolate bars going missing, suggesting a creative marketing stunt.
Authorities are investigating the theft of a lorry carrying 12 tonnes (over 400,000 bars) of KitKat chocolate bars, which went missing from central Italy last week, risking a shortage in stores before Easter.
Arca Continental, one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers, will invest $1 billion, and Nestlé will separately invest $455 million, totaling $1.5 billion for expanding operations in Mexico.
Ho Chi Minh City is implementing a new fast-track mechanism to prioritize and accelerate the development of social housing projects, aiming to address the city's housing needs.
Former Nestlé CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe discusses the company's strategy of maintaining operations in conflict-ridden regions like Iran, Ukraine, Syria, and Cuba, unless factories are destroyed or governments expel them.
Nestlé Lanka is marking its 120th anniversary in Sri Lanka by announcing a significant Rs. 9 billion expansion plan, signaling continued investment and growth in the country.
An article criticizes companies like Nestlé and Zalando, suggesting that their grand principles on sustainability and social responsibility often mask a lack of principles.
Nestlé is reportedly dissolving its Health Science division, which was once a promising segment for the company. The new CEO, Philipp Navratil, is shifting the company's focus back to its traditional core businesses.
Futures, Global Markets Rise With US Markets Closed For President's Day
Stocks gained, bitcoin tumbled and bonds steadied after Friday's cool CPI data reinforced expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates on multiple occasions this year. With US markets closed for the Presidents’ Day holiday and mainland China’s markets closed for Lunar New Year holidays, trading was muted on Monday. As of 9:00am ET, futures on the S&P 500 added 0.4% and Europe’s Stoxx 600 index rose 0.4% as banking shares rebounded from a sharp decline last week. German bunds and Treasury futures were steady after US yields touched the lowest since December on Friday.
The path of US interest rates remains in focus following Friday’s slower-than-expected US inflation print as traders fully price a Fed cut in July and the strong chance of a move in June.
“The backdrop for equities is positive post CPI,” said Andrea Gabellone, head of global equities at KBC Securities. At the same time, there could be “more dispersion ahead as sentiment around key AI-exposed sectors is still very critical,” he added.
That sentiment was echoed by other strategists seeking to distinguish between AI losers and winners.
A JPMorgan Chase & Co. team led by Mislav Matejka urged caution on stocks at risk of AI-driven “cannibalization,” including software, business services and media companies. Meanwhile, banks are developing baskets to capitalize on the divergence: as we first reported last Thursday, Goldman launched a new basket of software stocks that goes long firms that will benefit from AI adoption, while shorting the companies whose workflows could be replaced.
With AI disruption rippling through markets, a lot will come down to earnings resilience, in particular in the US.
“When you look at the current earnings season, the companies are showing 13% of growth,” Nataliia Lipikhina, head of EMEA equity strategy at JPMorgan, told Bloomberg TV. “Overall, this is the reason why we continue to be positive on the S&P.”
Later this week, traders will be watching for ADP private payrolls numbers on Tuesday and the minutes from the Fed’s January meeting on Wednesday for a fresh read on the economy.
European stocks gained with bank shares rebounding, after posting their biggest weekly decline since April on worries about disruption from artificial intelligence. The basic resources sector lags, with Norsk Hydro among Europe’s worst performers as both Goldman Sachs and RBC downgrade the stock. Stoxx 600 rises 0.4% to 620.26 with 253 members down, 336 up, and 11 unchanged. Here are some of the biggest movers on Monday:
NatWest shares rise as much as 4%, the most since October, as Citi analyst Andrew Coombs raises his price target on the UK bank to a Street-high.
Seraphim Space shares rise as much as 9.2%, briefly hitting a new all-time high, after the space tech investment firm said the valuations of its four largest holdings increased over the final months of 2025.
AECI shares rally as much as 6.1%, the most since July, after the South African commercial-explosives maker shared improved 2025 headline earnings per share guidance.
Orsted shares rise as much as 3.8% after analysts at Kepler raise the recommendation to buy from hold over the Danish renewable energy firm’s outlook, despite ongoing uncertainty for the industry in the US.
Norsk Hydro shares fall as much as 4.4%, extending Friday’s 5.9% earnings-triggered drop, after being downgraded at Goldman Sachs and RBC over disappointments and pricing pressures in the Norwegian aluminum company’s downstream business.
Galderma shares slip as much as 2.2% after naming Luigi La Corte as its new chief financial officer following the news back in July that Thomas Dittrich was departing.
Pinewood Technologies shares tumble as much as 32%, the most since April 2024, after Apax Partners said on Friday it will not proceed with a possible cash offer for the car dealership software provider.
FlatexDEGIRO shares drop as much as 7.2% after BNP Paribas downgraded the online brokerage firm to neutral from outperform, saying the price reflects too much optimism about its market position in Germany.
Maurel & Prom shares slump as much as 12%, pulling back after ending last week at a 2015-high, after announcing it is not currently authorized to resume oil and gas operations in Venezuela.
Barratt Redrow shares fall as much as 3.7%, leading a drop in British homebuilders after Rightmove said house prices are stalling.
Asian stocks slipped for a second day, led by declines in Japan as traders booked profits after last week’s post-election rally. Several markets were closed or held shortened trading sessions for the Lunar New Year holiday. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index was down 0.1%. Japan’s Topix Index fell 0.8%, with Mizuho Financial Group Inc. and Toyota Motor Corp. among the companies contributing to the index’s losses.In Hong Kong, AI model developer Minimax Group Inc. surged as much as 30% to more than four times its original listing price, while competitor Knowledge Atlas JSC Ltd. ended 4.7% higher. The market will be closed until Thursday. As investors across the region begin to reevaluate their bets on its artificial-intelligence-driven rally, traders in Japan cashed in gains driven by expectations of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s proactive spending policies last week.Trading in Singapore ended early Monday and will be shut until Wednesday. Equity markets in mainland China, South Korea, Indonesia and Vietnam were closed.
In FX, the yen is the notable mover in currencies, weakening 0.5% against the dollar and pushing USD/JPY back above 153. The offshore yuan is one of the better performers against the greenback. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rises 0.1%.
There is no cash trading in Treasuries due to the Presidents’ Day holiday. European government bonds are little changed
In commdities, gold dipped below $5,000 an ounce, as traders booked profits from a gain in the previous session. Bitcoin tried anf ailed to stage a modest rebound; it last traded around $68,275 after posting its fourth consecutive weekly loss, with the cryptocurrency struggling to find clear direction as a weekend rally fizzled once the momentum ignition algos emerged. WTI crude futures tread water near $62.90 a barrel.
Top Headlines
President Trump said there will be voter ID rules in the mid-term elections this year, whether Congress approves it or not, and they will present a legal argument in an Executive Order. Furthermore, Trump said he has searched the depths of legal arguments not yet articulated nor vetted on this subject, and they will be presenting an irrefutable one in the very near future.
Iran says potential energy, mining and aircraft deals on table in talks with US: RTRS
Pentagon threatened to cut its ties with Anthropic over the company’s insistence that some limitations are kept on how the military uses its AI models: RTRS
UK eyes rapid ban on social media for under 16s, curbs to AI chatbots: RTRS
Rampant AI Demand for Memory Is Fueling a Growing Chip Crisis: BBG
Warner Bros. Weighs Reopening Sale Negotiations With Paramount: BBG
Companies Are Replacing CEOs in Record Numbers—and They’re Getting Younger: WSJ
Europe aims to rely less on US defence after Trump's Greenland push: RTRS
DOJ Tells Lawmakers Epstein File Redactions Complied With LawL BBG
For College Applicants, Pressure to Make Summers Count Has Gotten Even Worse: WSJ
Fed's Goolsbee (2027 voter) said on Friday that they are still seeing pretty high services inflation, and he hopes they have seen the peak impact of tariffs, while he added that the job market has been steady, with only modest cooling.
The Break Is Over. Companies Are Jacking Up Prices Again: WSJ
Trade/Tariffs
USTR Greer said the US and Ecuador expect to sign a trade agreement in the coming weeks.
China will waive import value-added taxes on selected seeds, genetic resources, and police dogs through to 2030 to increase agricultural competitiveness and breeding capacity. It was also reported that China will grant zero-tariff access to 53 African nations from May 1st, according to Bloomberg.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his French and German counterparts that China and the EU are partners, not rivals, while he added that China and the EU should manage differences, deepen practical cooperation and work together on global challenges.
A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk
APAC stocks began the week in the green but with gains limited following a lack of major fresh catalysts from over the weekend and amid thinned conditions owing to holiday closures in the region and North America. ASX 200 traded marginally higher with upside led by tech, although gains are capped by underperformance in the utilities, mining, materials and resources sectors, while participants also digested a slew of earnings releases. Nikkei 225 traded indecisively with the index constrained by disappointing Japanese preliminary Q4 GDP data, which showed the economy returned to growth but failed to meet expectations with GDP Q/Q at 0.1% (exp. 0.4%), and annualised GDP at 0.2% (exp. 1.6%). Hang Seng finished higher in a shortened trading session on Chinese New Year's Eve but with upside limited by tech weakness amid some confusion after the Pentagon added several companies including Baidu, Cosco, BYD, Huawei, Nio, SMIC, Tencent, and more to a list of Chinese firms aiding the military on Friday, but then withdrew the updated list shortly after it was posted. Furthermore, price action was also restricted by the closure of mainland markets and the absence of stock connect flows, which will remain shut for more than a week. US equity futures kept afloat in quiet trade amid the absence of drivers and participants. European equity futures indicate a mildly positive cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.1% after the cash market closed with losses of 0.4% on Friday.
Asian Headlines
Chinese President Xi called for the anchoring of economic growth around domestic demand as its main driver, in a speech during a key policy meeting late last year that was released on Sunday.
China is to establish a permanent financial support framework to promote rural revitalisation and prevent a slide back into poverty, which represents a shift from transitional aid to long-term support.
China’s market regulator summoned major online platform companies on Friday, including Alibaba, Douyin and Meituan, while it directed them to comply with laws and regulations, and rein in promotional practices, according to Bloomberg.
US Secretary of State Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral ties.
Disney (DIS) sent a ‘cease and desist’ letter to ByteDance over Seedance 2.0 and alleged that ByteDance has been infringing on its IP to train and develop an AI video generation model without compensation, according to Axios. It was later reported that ByteDance said it would curb its AI video app following Disney's legal threats, according to the BBC.
RBI tightened rules for loans provided to brokers and proprietary firms in an effort to reduce market speculation
FX
DXY eked slight gains in rangebound trade after a lack of major catalysts and with US participants away on Monday.
EUR/USD was little changed amid the absence of any major macro catalysts and with light newsflow from the bloc, while comments from ECB President Lagarde and news that the ECB is to make its repo backstop available to other central banks across the world, did little to spur price action.
GBP/USD held on to most of Friday's spoils but with price action contained by resistance around 1.3650 and following comments from BoE's Mann that the UK economy is sluggish and tepid, with consumers spending less due to being scarred by high inflation.
USD/JPY edged higher and returned to above the 153.00 level in the aftermath of the weaker-than-expected preliminary Q4 GDP data for Japan.
Antipodeans were mixed with little fresh macro drivers and a lack of tier-1 data from either side of the Tasman.
Fixed Income
10yr UST futures traded little changed and held on to last week's spoils after returning above the 113.00 level in the aftermath of the softer US inflation data, while price action was contained to start the week by the closure of US cash markets for Washington's Birthday.
Bund futures lacked demand in the absence of any major catalysts and with light newsflow from the bloc.
10yr JGB futures were marginally higher following disappointing preliminary GDP data for Q4, but with gains limited after failing to sustain a brief reclaim of the 132.00 level.
Commodities
Crude futures were rangebound amid light energy-specific newsflow from over the weekend and after last Friday's indecisive performance, where attention was on a source report that noted OPEC+ is leaning towards resuming oil output hikes from April, but with no decision made.
Slovak PM Fico said he has information that the Druzhba pipeline has been fixed after damage in Ukraine, although he believes that supplies to Hungary and Slovakia have become a part of political blackmail.
Spot gold took a breather after edging higher in the aftermath of the recent softer-than-expected US inflation data, with price action also contained by the holiday closures across Asia and North America.
Copper futures were subdued, with their largest buyer away for more than a week due to the Chinese New Year/Spring Festival holiday.
Texas venture-backed startup Hertha Metal vowed mass production of steel with 25% cost savings, which could reduce US reliance on imports.
Geopolitics: Middle East
US military is preparing for potential operations against Iran that could last for weeks if US President Trump orders an attack and the US fully expects Iran to retaliate, according to sources cited by Reuters.
US President Trump told Israeli PM Netanyahu during a meeting in December that he would support Israel striking Iran’s ballistic missile program if the US and Iran are not able to reach a deal, according to CBS.
Iran confirmed that indirect talks between the US and Iran will resume in Geneva on Tuesday under the mediation of Oman, while Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi left for Geneva on Sunday.
Iranian diplomat said Iran is open to nuclear deal compromises if the US discusses lifting sanctions, while it was also reported that Iran said potential energy, mining and aircraft deals are on the table in talks with the US.
Israel’s cabinet approved the proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’, while Palestinians condemned the ‘de facto annexation’ which Peace Now said likely amounts to a ‘mega land grab’.
Geopolitics: Ukraine
US President Trump said on Friday that Ukrainian President Zelensky is going to have to get moving and that Russia wants to get a deal.
US Secretary of State Rubio said they don’t know if Russia is serious about finding an end to the war in Ukraine and will continue to test it, while it was reported that he met with Ukrainian President Zelensky on security and deepening defence and economic partnerships.
Ukrainian drones targeted Russia’s Taman seaport and fuel tanks in the Black Sea region.
UK and European allies were reported on Friday to be weighing seizing Russian shadow fleet ships and tightening curbs on Russia's economy.
French Foreign Minister Barrot said some G7 nations have expressed a willingness to proceed with a maritime services ban on Russian oil, which they hope to include in the 20th sanctions package that they are actively preparing.
Geopolitics: Other
European Commission President von der Leyen said that they face the very distinct threat of outside forces trying to weaken their union, while she added that mutual defence is not an optional task for the European Union; it is an obligation within their own treaty, and it is their collective commitment to stand by each other in case of aggression.
Pentagon said the US military struck an alleged drug cartel boat in the Caribbean, which killed three people.
DB's Jim Reid concludes the overnigt wrap
I hope you all had a good weekend. To stay in Winter Olympics mood the family watched "Cool Runnings" last night. I haven't seen it for 32 years. Please don't tell anyone but I had a few tears in my eyes at the end. I blamed it on the hay fever that has now started.
There will be a lot of tears out there in markets for other reasons at the moment. Just two weeks ago, the idea of AI-driven disruption still felt like an abstract, almost academic thought experiment—something we could safely revisit once we had clearer evidence of how AI would be deployed and integrated across the economy. Fast forward 14 days, and markets have wiped out well over a trillion dollars of global equity value on the fear that AI could fundamentally reshape business models and compress profitability across a wide range of industries, including software, legal services, IT consulting, wealth management, logistics, insurance, real estate brokerage and commercial real estate.
Some of the sell off in “old economy” sectors feels overdone to me. But as I argued in our 2026 World Outlook back in November, the real challenge is that even by the end of this year we still won’t have enough evidence to identify the structural winners and losers with confidence. That leaves plenty of room for investors’ imaginations—both optimistic and pessimistic—to run wild. As such big sentiment swings will continue to be the order of the day.
My instinct is that the reaction in things like commercial real estate, for example, has been particularly exaggerated. Markets seem to be extrapolating a scenario in which vast numbers of white collar workers are made redundant almost overnight, leading to a dramatic collapse in office demand. If that view turns out to be correct, we’ll be facing societal challenges far larger than anything currently being priced into equities. While trying to catch a falling knife may be too risky for many, beginning to cushion the descent could be sensible in many old economy sectors. Markets can’t sustain a disruption narrative across multiple sectors for months or quarters without concrete evidence — and that evidence is likely to take much longer to emerge. Fascinating times.
As for this week, today is a US holiday but inflation will remain in the spotlight at a global level after Friday's slightly softer US CPI which helped contribute to a decent rates rally to end the week. Prints are due in the US (PCE - Friday), the UK (Wednesday), Canada (Tuesday) and Japan (Friday). Other economic highlights will include the FOMC minutes (Wednesday), Q4 GDP in the US (Friday), as well as the global flash PMIs (Friday). Earnings reports will feature Walmart (Thursday), Nestlé (Thursday) and BHP (today). It's the earnings calm before next week's Nvidia storm.
In the US, this holiday shortened week (President's Day today) features a data calendar dominated by releases that were pushed back by last year’s government shutdown. The most consequential updates will land on Friday, when the advance estimate of Q4 GDP arrives alongside December’s personal income and consumption figures—key inputs for shaping expectations for the early part of this year.
For markets assessing the underlying pulse of demand heading into 2026, private final sales to domestic purchasers (PFDP) will carry more weight than the headline GDP print. This indicator—closely monitored by Fed Chair Powell—is expected by our economists to slow to 2.0% from 2.9% in Q3, though risks appear tilted upward. One swing factor: Wednesday’s durable goods report, where modest gains outside of transportation could soften the deceleration. On the consumer front, real PCE growth is expected to cool to 2.5% after two quarters of outsized strength but should still signal ample momentum heading into the new year.
Friday’s income and spending report will also offer the latest reading on core PCE, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. Our economists expect another 0.4% monthly increase for December, lifting the year over year rate to 2.9%. Updated seasonal factors from last week’s CPI release suggest some mild downward pressure on inflation trends in the second half of 2025. Still, January’s CPI data, although softer than we anticipated, do not translate into equivalent relief for core PCE—in fact, our team currently sees another 0.4% gain for January's release (delayed until March 13th). Depending on the strength of medical services, airfare, and portfolio management components in the upcoming PPI report, a 0.5% monthly rise cannot be ruled out, which would push the year over year rate toward 3.1%. So don't get too excited about the softer CPI last week and the huge rates rally.
Additional releases this week will help clarify whether recent severe winter weather has disrupted factory sector activity. January industrial production, due Wednesday, should benefit from a jump in utility output, while weather effects may weigh on the Empire State Survey tomorrow and the Philadelphia Fed survey on Thursday.
Labor market data will also be in focus, particularly Thursday’s jobless claims, which line up with the survey week for the February employment report. As our economists have pointed out, private nonfarm job gains have averaged 103k over the past three months, slightly above the pace at this point in 2025 and matching the start of 2024. See their latest US employment chartbook here.
This week will also feature a dense lineup of Federal Reserve speakers which you can see alongside all the key global data in the day-by-day week ahead calendar at the end as usual.
Moving away from the US, inflation will also be in focus in Japan (Friday) and Canada (tomorrow). For the former, our Chief Japan Economist sees the January nationwide CPI showing a slowdown in both core CPI inflation ex. fresh food to 2.1% YoY (+2.4% in December) and core-core CPI inflation ex. fresh food and energy to 2.7% (+2.9%). Also important will be the global flash PMIs due on Friday as a health check on global growth. In Europe, the spotlight will be on UK inflation (Wednesday), with labour market data due tomorrow and retail sales on Friday. Our UK economist expects headline CPI inflation to drop to 3.0% YoY (3.4% in December) and core CPI also landing at 3.0% YoY (3.2% YoY). See more in his full preview here. In terms of key rate decisions, the RBNZ are expected to remain on hold on Wednesday.
Finally, the Munich Security Conference wrapped up over the weekend, where key topics included Ukraine, Russia, and the fate of Greenland. And while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s speech was nothing like Vice President JD Vance’s at last year’s conference, which triggered a “wake-up” call for European leaders, Rubio reiterated the administration’s view that Europe needed to leave behind its focus on energy policies, trade and mass migration.
Recapping last week now, the tech volatility that has dogged markets since the start of the month broadened into a far more indiscriminate sell-off. The trough came on Thursday, marked by a sharp drop in software stocks, but the weakness extended well beyond tech. Companies across wealth management, real estate and financials suffered double digit declines, underscoring how widespread the pullback has become. Market breadth confirmed this shift as the equal weighted S&P 500 fell -1.37% on Thursday, though it managed to finish the week up +0.29% (+1.04% on Friday). Ultimately, the sell-off left the major US indices on the back foot: the S&P 500 slipped -1.39% (+0.05% on Friday), the Nasdaq lost -2.10% (-0.22% on Friday), and the Magnificent 7 slid -3.24% (-1.11% on Friday).
Although the AI scare dominated sentiment, a heavy slate of US data also shaped the market narrative. Early in the week, softer prints—including flat December retail sales, a dovish Q4 Employment Cost Index, and slower Q4 growth expectations from the Atlanta Fed—pushed Treasury yields lower across the curve. That picture shifted midweek after a stronger than expected January jobs report, which delivered the largest gain in nonfarm payrolls (+130k vs. +65k expected) since December 2024 and reinforced confidence that the US economy carried solid momentum into 2026. Then on Friday, January CPI came in below expectations, adding another dovish note. Although the data offered mixed signals at times, the overall takeaway was sufficiently dovish for traders to increase the number of expected rate cuts by December 2026 to 63.4bps (+7.7bps on the week). This helped drive the largest weekly drop in the 10 year Treasury yield since August 2025, down -15.8bps (-5.0bps on Friday) to 4.05%. The 2 year yield also moved sharply lower, falling -8.9bps to 3.41% (-4.8bps on Friday), its lowest level since 2022.
European markets, meanwhile, delivered a comparatively resilient performance. The STOXX 600 (+0.09%, -0.13% Friday), DAX (+0.78%, +0.25% Friday) and FTSE 100 (+0.74%, +0.42% Friday) all posted modest gains for the week. European sovereign bonds rallied as well, with the 10 year bund yield dropping -8.7bps—its steepest weekly decline since April 2025. That move was outpaced by gilts, which fell -9.8bps (-3.6bps on Friday) despite a sharp early week sell-off triggered by renewed questions surrounding Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s position.
Elsewhere, performance was mixed. Brent crude edged down -0.44% (+0.34% on Friday), while gold extended its upward run, rising +1.56% (+2.43% on Friday).
Will London’s half term week finally give us a quiet week in 2026? You’d probably have to guess at ‘unlikely’.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 02/16/2026 - 09:40
As millions use GLP-1 weight-loss medications, Nestlé sees an opportunity to develop products that can help manage the challenges associated with these drugs.
Following a successful partnership in Lithuania, Nestlé Professional is expanding its collaboration with the international gastronomy community by strategically partnering with Pavāru Klubs in Latvia to strengthen professional chef training.
Nestlé and SPAR have partnered to launch a lifestyle change program, encouraging participants to prepare for their first running race and incorporate regular exercise and balanced nutrition into their lives.
A family from Vorarlberg, Austria, has filed a lawsuit against Nestlé, alleging that their baby food products were contaminated. The legal action seeks compensation for damages caused by the allegedly tainted infant formula.
Nestlé has reportedly finalized a $3 billion deal related to its water business, contributing to a broader trend of corporate carveouts observed across Europe.
Nestlé is partnering for its Perrier and San Pellegrino water brands as part of a corporate restructuring, though its half-year financial results were not well-received by investors.
Nałęczowianka, a Polish water brand owned by Nestlé, along with other premium waters and beverages, has been transferred to a new company formed with a 50% stake from Platinum Equity, aiming to accelerate category development.
Nestlé's shares have fallen significantly after the company reported a 31% decrease in net profit and declining sales. This occurred despite positive remarks regarding its water sales.
Private equity firm Platinum Equity is reportedly close to acquiring approximately 50% of Nestle's European water business, valuing the deal at nearly €5 billion.
Nestlé is set to close its chocolate factory in Diósgyőr, Hungary, by the end of the year due to decreased demand for seasonal chocolate products like Santa Claus figures and Easter eggs. The company is in negotiations to sell the plant, hoping it can continue operations under new ownership, as sales of hollow chocolate figures have declined.
Nestlé has announced plans to remove all artificial colorings from its entire product range by the end of the year. This move reflects a shift towards more natural ingredients in their food products.
Nestlé Nigeria is leading a nationwide campaign in Nigeria for World Environment Day 2026, urging collective action to promote a circular economy and combat plastic pollution.
Multinational food company Nestlé confirmed plans to reduce its workforce in Portugal by approximately 3%, affecting 88 positions by 2027, as part of a global restructuring initiative.
Nestlé and labor unions have reached an agreement on an employment regulation file (ERE) that will result in up to 242 layoffs across the company's centers in Spain, reducing the initial proposal by 20% and improving economic conditions.
Bonneval Emergence, a competitor of Nestlé Waters, has filed a lawsuit against Perrier, Contrex, and Vittel in administrative court. The company disputes prefectural decrees that allowed the Swiss group's brands to sell 'natural mineral water' that allegedly did not meet required criteria.
A new Greenpeace study reveals that popular baby food pouches from brands like Nestlé and Danone contain thousands of plastic particles, despite being on the market for about 20 years.
Nestlé and Danone are currently under investigation regarding whether they delayed the recall of contaminated baby food products. Authorities are examining if the companies acted too slowly in removing the affected items from the market.
Nestle and Danone are facing accusations of delaying the alert to European authorities regarding the presence of a dangerous toxin in their infant formula. Critics claim the companies failed to promptly inform regulators about the potential health risk to babies.
Mark Schneider, who previously faced challenges at Nestlé, is slated to become the chairman of the supervisory board for Siemens, poised to control Germany's most valuable corporation.
Ghana is grappling with a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, which now account for 45% of deaths, prompting a reevaluation of Nestlé's impact and partnerships in the country.
Nestlé Ghana's CEO, Salomé Azevedo, announced a renewed commitment to sustainability, prioritizing customer well-being and community development efforts.
Nestlé's new CEO is reportedly undertaking a restructuring effort, including the separation from a coffee chain. This comes as the company sees growth dominated by coffee and snacks, though an infant formula recall weighs on performance.
Nestlé's sales were held back by infant formula recalls, despite the Swiss group beating expectations as growth in coffee sales helped offset the impact of the baby product saga.
Newly appointed Nestlé CEO Philipp Navratil is immediately confronted with crisis management, with the article questioning public trust in the company's baby milk products and highlighting the challenges ahead for the Swiss food giant.
International diplomatic efforts are underway, led by countries like Pakistan and France, to facilitate US-Iran talks and ensure the safe navigation or reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The uncertainty surrounding these discussions continues to influence global oil prices.
The founders of Ankerkraut have bought back their spice brand from Nestlé after a four-year period, intending to manage it independently once again. The original sale to Nestlé had previously drawn criticism.
Nestlé has introduced a "stolen KitKat tracker" that allows consumers to enter an 8-digit code from the chocolate bar's packaging. This tool helps determine if a specific KitKat is one of the missing tablets, addressing a unique product security issue.
Nestlé is launching an online tool to help locate over 400,000 Kitkat bars that were stolen by individuals posing as police officers, appealing to the public for information on the whereabouts of the stolen chocolate.
Nestlé is moving forward with the sale of a 50% stake in its water division, including brands like Perrier and San Pellegrino, with firms such as CD&R, KKR, and PAI progressing to the next round, as the deal is now reported to be worth about $5.75 billion.
Food industry giant Nestlé is on trial for allegedly illegally dumping plastic bottles, causing 'exorbitant' microplastic contamination of soil and water resources.
Petar Stoilov, CEO of Nestlé Bulgaria, emphasized the company's focus on achieving stable success by integrating social responsibility and doing good while generating profit.
The Hershey Company (HSY) has announced a partnership with major chocolate manufacturers Lindt, Mars, Mondelez, and Nestlé for a new initiative named 'TogetherCocoa'.
Luckin Coffee backer Centurium Capital is reportedly in the process of acquiring Blue Bottle Coffee from Nestlé, signaling a significant transaction in the coffee industry.
Eine Leserin sucht vergeblich ihre Thomy-Light-Mayo in den Regalen. Die Migros bestätigt andauernde Lieferprobleme – Auslöser ist eine geforderte Preiserhöhung von Nestlé.
Nestlé is planning to scale back its ice cream production business and is in advanced talks to sell this segment to the British company Froneri, as the Swiss conglomerate aims to focus on four priority areas.
The US trade deficit significantly increased in December 2025, raising questions about the effectiveness of Trump's tariff policies and highlighting ongoing economic challenges.
"Pressure Is Enormous": Nestle CEO Faces Mounting Scrutiny Amid Infant Formula Crisis
Nestlé SA CEO Philipp Navratil is feeling the heat after the world's largest food company recently carried out the biggest recall in its history, pulling infant formula off supermarket shelves after a contaminated ingredient was discovered early last month. Shares have taken a beating, and scrutiny of the recall is intensifying, with prosecutors in Europe opening an investigation.
Navratil and his management team are expected to present a turnaround plan for the Swiss foodmaker on Thursday, following the early January recall of its infant formulas. Multiple production sites were found to have cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting.
French authorities have received complaints from eight consumers who say their children vomited after consuming Nestlé baby formula, prompting Paris prosecutors to open investigations. In the UK, there have also been 36 reports of suspected food poisoning linked to baby formula consumption.
BBC News provided more color to those investigations:
Prosecutors in Paris will seek to establish whether the baby formula producers are liable for distributing a tainted product. It will be co-ordinated with local probes into whether there was a causal link between the contaminated formula and the deaths of three babies in France. Nestlé and France's health ministry have stressed there was as-yet no evidence to indicate such a link.
In Switzerland, the food giant's shares are little changed year to date, with uncertainty surrounding the baby formula debacle still hanging over sentiment. Zooming out, the stock has retraced to 2018-19 levels.
Vontobel analyst Jean-Philippe Bertschy told clients, "The pressure is enormous ... and full-year results have become almost anecdotal, as investors are now squarely focused on the robustness of quality controls in the infant nutrition case and on the strategic update pledged by the new management team."
Investors' attention now shifts to Thursday, when the Swiss giant reports full-year results and is expected to unveil its turnaround plan.
Bloomberg noted, "Thursday's strategy update may include a reorganization to streamline businesses. Navratil has signaled that he wants to focus on four core divisions — pet care, coffee, nutrition and health, and food and snacking — while centralizing functions such as marketing, an area the company did not invest enough in during years of short-term margin expansion."
Vontobel's Bertschy said, "It will be crucial that we receive an update on some of the under-performing units, how they want to reduce the net debt level and how they plan to accelerate the free cash flow. The market will look for a precise roadmap rather than another broad reassurance – a plan that is clearly underpinned by concrete actions, milestones and measurable commitments."
Tyler Durden
Wed, 02/18/2026 - 08:05