Live updates, stocks, economic data and earnings

The British pound was down 0.25% lower against the U.S. dollar and 0.44% lower against the euro at 4 p.m. in London.

Earlier in the day, data showed the U.K. economy contracted 0.1% month-on-month in January, against the expected 0.1% expansion.

“Although today’s figures come as something of a disappointment, we would stress that the monthly GDP data are volatile and one should place as little weight on these numbers as December’s 0.4% increase,” analysts at Investec said in a note.

“The economy appears to be expanding, but very gradually, an assessment which is supported by survey evidence such as the [Purchasing Managers Index].”

U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat issued Thursday to slap a 200% tariff on alcohol from European Union nations would be catastrophic for some spirits producers, according to one analyst.

“If you take it at face value, for some of the producers it could wipe out their global profits,” Trevor Stirling, Managing Director for European beverages at Bernstein, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Friday.

European spirits companies’ exposure to the U.S. is roughly between 20% to 30% of global net sales, he said, making it a “huge market, a very valuable market in terms of the premium market.”

Stirling picked out cognac specialist Remy Cointreau as probably the worst affected, as more than 30% of its sales are in the U.S., 90% of which is imported from Europe.

“The EU has put a 50% tariff on U.S. whiskey, which has prompted this tit-for-tat, but 200% does seem high in the scale of things,” Stirling continued. “I think one has learned never to underestimate the Trump administration and the potential for things to happen, so I think perhaps investors are being a little bit too blase about the potential there is a real risk it could be a 200% tariff.”

European spirits firms saw relatively contained market moves following the announcement, with Remy Cointreau, Pernod Ricard and Davide Campari all falling around 4% on Thursday. Luxury giant LVMH, owner of Moët Hennessy, dipped 1.1%.

Stirling also noted that cognac and champagne avoided tariffs during the last Trump presidency, and it was possible certain categories would do so again.

Investors have been buying up safe haven assets such as gold in the midst of President Donald Trump’s ramping trade war. On Friday, the precious metal’s April-dated futures hit a fresh intraday all-time high of 3,017.1 per ounce.

Week to date, gold is up 3.3% and pacing for its best week since Nov. 22, 2024.

— Gina Francolla, Lisa Kailai Han

The euro gained around 0.5% against the U.S. dollar and the British pound by 12:43 p.m. on Friday.

It came after officials from both the Kremlin and White House publicly struck a note of cautious optimism on reaching an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine. The euro’s rally also came amid multiple media reports that Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, had secured support from the country’s Green party to ramp up government borrowing.

— Chloe Taylor

Russia struck a sedate tone on Friday but acknowledged grounds for cautious optimism, after only backing the “idea” of a U.S. brokered 30-day ceasefire with firm caveats.

“The idea [of a ceasefire] itself is correct and we are certainly supporting it, but there are issues that need to be discussed,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday, urging further discussions with Washington and a potential call with White House leader Donald Trump.

Read the full story here.

— Ruxandra Iordache

The Finnish government said Thursday that it’s nominating Olli Rehn as Bank of Finland governor for a second term, lasting seven years.

Rehn, who has served as governor since 2018, will begin his second term on July 12.

The Finnish central bank chief is also a member of the governing board of the European Central Bank, which makes decisions on monetary policy for the euro zone.

“The President of the Republic will decide on the appointment on Friday 14 March,” the Finnish government said.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya

Shares of Kering plunged on Friday after the company announced that Demna Gvasalia would take the reins as new artistic director of its ailing Gucci fashion line.

Gvasalia, known as Demna in the industry, joins internally from Kering-owned Balenciaga. He replaces Sabato De Sarno, whose departure was announced last month.

Shares were down 13.5% by 9:08 a.m. London time.

“Demna’s contribution to the industry, to Balenciaga, and to the Group’s success has been tremendous. His creative power is exactly what Gucci needs,” Kering’s chairman and CEO François-Henri Pinault said in a statement.

— Karen Gilchrist

The U.K.’s economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1% month-on-month in January, official figures showed on Friday.

Britain’s Office for National Statistics said the fall was mainly due to a contraction in the production sector.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected the country’s GDP to grow by 0.1%.

Read the full story here.

— Holly Ellyatt, Chloe Taylor

Italy’s UniCredit on Friday said it has received the European Central Bank’s approval to secure up to 29.9% in Commerzbank, clearing the way for potential takeover steps of Germany’s second largest lender.

Since September, UniCredit has accrued 28% in Commerzbank, largely through derivatives, raising questions over its potential intentions for cross-border consolidation with the German bank. The Italian lender late last year put in a simultaneous takeover offer for domestic peer Banco BPM.

UniCredit shares were down 0.25% at 8:43 a.m. London time, with Commerzbank stock up 1.34%.

UniCredit on Friday noted further approvals would be required to translate roughly 18.5% of its Commerzbank shares held through derivatives into physical shares, including gaining authorization from Germany’s Federal Cartel Office and carrying out dialogue with the country’s to-be-formed government.

“As shareholder, we are pleased that our investment has driven some positive change at Commerzbank, which, together with the recent more optimistic view on German macro, has driven a substantial increase in the bank share price,” it said, noting it must still assess whether its plan is executable and whether the Commerzbank share price upside is “justified and sustainable.”

“As a result, our original timeline for deciding on whether to proceed or not with a potential combination is now likely to extend well beyond the end of 2025,” UniCredit said.

Commerzbank, which has been fighting the takeover and making a case to stand alone, said it has taken note of the ECB’s approval, which “does not change the fundamental situation” between the lenders.

“We are convinced of our strategy, which aims for profitable growth and value increase, and we are focusing on its successful implementation,” Commerzbank said by email in response to a request for comment.

— Ruxandra Iordache

German automaker BMW’s profit declined 37% in 2024, as the company warned of weak demand from China.

The company’s annual net profit for 2024 decreased to 7.68 billion euros ($8.32 billion), down from 12.2 billion euros in 2023, according to its group report published on Friday. Revenue was down 8.4% to 142 billion euros.

The company expects to face headwinds in 2025 due to challenges in China, tariff increases, and supply chain issues.

“A challenging competitive environment and macroeconomic, trade, and geopolitical developments could all have a significant impact on business performance,” the company said in a statement.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya

European markets are expected to open higher on Friday.

London’s FTSE 100 is expected to open around 28 points higher at 8,567 points, according to IG, while Germany’s DAX is slated to add 107 points to open at 22,639 points. France’s CAC 40 index is expected to open 26 points higher at 7,970.

Investors will be monitoring earnings from BMW, Daimler, and Swiss Life. They will also await the U.K.’s January gross domestic product figures, and inflation readings for Germany, France, and Spain.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya