Category: 3. Business

  • European shares muted as markets turn cautious ahead of US data – Reuters

    1. European shares muted as markets turn cautious ahead of US data  Reuters
    2. European stocks open slightly higher, tracking Wall Street rebound  CNBC
    3. DE40: European tech and defence stocks sell-off  XTB.com
    4. European Shares Seen Lower As Investors Await US Data  Nasdaq
    5. European Stocks Set to Drop Following Wall Street Reversal  Bloomberg.com

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  • COP30: African Development Bank Group Backs Increased Access to Climate Finance for Electricity Grids and Energy Storage – African Development Bank Group

    1. COP30: African Development Bank Group Backs Increased Access to Climate Finance for Electricity Grids and Energy Storage  African Development Bank Group
    2. Africa secures $57mln for a just energy transition, Mission 300  ZAWYA
    3. AfDB Secures Nearly €50 Million For African Energy Access At COP30  News Ghana
    4. COP30: AfDB’s SEFA mobilises nearly EUR50 million in new commitments for just energy transition and Mission 300  CediRates

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  • BASF Coatings sets innovation benchmark with Lean Lab in Wuerzburg

    • New laboratory concept drives innovative, customer-centric product development
    • Optimized material flow delivers high CO₂ savings  

    With a new laboratory at its site in Wuerzburg, Germany, BASF Coatings reinforces its position as a pioneer in digitalization, occupational safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The innovative “Lean Lab” concept focuses on developing and producing waterborne basecoats for customers in the European automotive industry.  

    “The Lean Lab in Wuerzburg is part of our global rollout. With this infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for modern, digitalized, and flexible product development, reaffirming our commitment to driving innovation and sustainability consistently across all regions,” emphasizes Dr. Ralf Otte, Vice President, Global Technology, Automotive OEM Coatings at BASF Coatings. “I am very proud of our project team, who implemented the concept with great commitment within the planned timeframe.” 

    The Lean Lab concept is currently being introduced at additional BASF Coatings sites worldwide and adapted to specific local requirements. The strategy is based on clear specialization: wet work is handled in the process laboratory, the product laboratory focuses on intensive customer support and continuous product optimization, and the laboratory services organize the provision of raw materials and supplies. Accordingly, work is divided into three areas: process laboratory, product laboratory, and laboratory services.  

    All workstations are ergonomically designed and equipped with state-of-the-art IT infrastructure. Every process is fully digitally recorded and efficiency oriented. The laboratory’s central location, close to production, enables close interdisciplinary collaboration and ensures rapid implementation of innovations. 

    The Lean Lab already meets future EU requirements for raw material classification and occupational safety. It drives digitization and efficiency in product development, with a strong focus on sustainability: optimized material flow, direct logistics connections, and centralized space save 25.1 tons of CO₂ annually. Resource utilization is further improved through consumption-based material supply. 

    Customized laboratory software and an RFID-based warehouse system in the new laboratory ensure transparent processes and automated data collection. Warehouse management, including raw material ordering, is also fully digital. A modern working café fosters creativity, teamwork, and employee well-being. 

    The BASF Coatings team in Wuerzburg develops and produces waterborne basecoats for automotive OEM customers around the globe. The new laboratory concept further strengthens the site’s role as a key hub and attractive employer in the region. 
     

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  • policy progress, challenges, and pathways forward – CEPS

    policy progress, challenges, and pathways forward – CEPS


    Gender equality and gender mainstreaming have been established as central priorities within the European Union’s current Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (R&I), Horizon Europe (2021–27). The European Commission has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting gender equality through measures such as mandatory Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) and the systemic integration of the gender perspective in research. However, despite progress, available data indicate that advancements remain slow, underscoring the need for more robust action by the EU to achieve meaningful equality in this field. 

    Drawing on existing literature and data, this paper introduces a new theoretical framework for analysing the integration of gender equality and gender mainstreaming in Horizon Europe across three interrelated dimensions: structural, epistemic and substantive. It conceptualises gender equality in R&I as a circle, where progress in one dimension can mutually reinforce advancement in the others. The paper further identifies emerging themes and priority areas for the next Framework Programme, addressing persistent challenges in gender equality, and proposes seven targeted policy actions. 

    Implementing these measures would enhance the EU’s capacity to mainstream gender in research, strengthen its leadership in promoting gender equality, and its position as a global example for gender-responsive R&I. 

     

    To read all publications in the ‘EU R&I and Health Policy’ series, please click here.

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  • Rejuvenation of mesenchymal stem cells by human peripheral blood lymphocytes | BMC Biology

    Rejuvenation of mesenchymal stem cells by human peripheral blood lymphocytes | BMC Biology

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  • Lower Costs, Greater Efficiency: Adami Trasporti Relies on Continental Tires

    Lower Costs, Greater Efficiency: Adami Trasporti Relies on Continental Tires

    The family-owned company Adami Trasporti, which now has 280 employees, has specialized in food transport for more than four generations. The fleet consists of modern tanks and tank containers designed for the transport of liquid food products. “With one of the most modern truck and trailer fleets in Europe, we guarantee our customers the highest quality standards and maximum service flexibility,” says Stefano Adami. The 200 vehicles operate from Verona and three other strategic locations in Castelmassa, Italy; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Beilngries, Germany – along the European and national north-south and east-west transport axes. “We transport liquids such as fruit juices, glucose, wine, milk, chocolate, and cooking oil. Everything is always done in compliance with the highest food safety standards,” says the freight forwarder.

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  • Siemens showcases the future of autonomous production at SPS 2025 | Press | Company

    Siemens showcases the future of autonomous production at SPS 2025 | Press | Company

    [{“nid”:0,”name”:”Products & Solutions”,”tid”:0,”url_str”:”https://www.siemens.com/global/en/products.html”,”alias”:”https://www.siemens.com/global/en/products.html”,”level”:1,”image”:{“fid”:false,”furl”:””},”options”:{“menu_icon”:{“fid”:false},”external”:true},”depth”:1,”parent”:false,”children”:[]},{“nid”:0,”name”:”Industries”,”tid”:1,”url_str”:”https://xcelerator.siemens.com/global/en/industries.html”,”alias”:”https://xcelerator.siemens.com/global/en/industries.html”,”level”:1,”image”:{“fid”:false,”furl”:””},”options”:{“menu_icon”:{“fid”:false},”external”:true},”depth”:1,”parent”:false,”children”:[]},{“nid”:0,”name”:”Company”,”tid”:2,”url_str”:”https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company.html”,”alias”:”https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company.html”,”level”:1,”image”:{“fid”:false,”furl”:””},”options”:{“menu_icon”:{“fid”:false},”external”:true},”depth”:1,”parent”:false,”children”:[]}]

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  • Aluminum giants hit major milestone with low-carbon…

    Aluminum giants hit major milestone with low-carbon…

    Around the world, smelters use massive amounts of electricity — often generated by fossil fuels — to turn raw materials into aluminum. As more carbon-free energy comes onto the grid, these power-hungry facilities will get progressively cleaner. But smelters will never be entirely emissions-free until producers can solve a much trickier technical problem.

    That’s because modern aluminum plants rely on a 19th-century process that uses big blocks of carbon, which account for almost one-sixth of the greenhouse gases associated with producing new aluminum globally. Replacing the blocks is crucial to decarbonizing this key industrial process.

    Now the industry may be one step closer to reaching that goal.

    Earlier this month, the Canadian firm Elysis said it hit a major milestone when it deployed an industrial-size, carbon-free anode inside an existing smelter in Alma, Quebec. Elysis is a joint venture of the U.S. aluminum giant Alcoa and global mining company Rio Tinto, both of which produce aluminum in the Canadian province.

    “This is really a first for the aluminum industry, and a worldwide first as well,” François Perras, president and CEO of Elysis, told Canary Media.

    Elysis installed its ​“inert,” or chemically inactive, anode technology in a 450-kiloampere (kA) cell, the same amount of electric current used in many large, modern smelters. The full-scale prototype is a significant step up from the company’s 100 kA pilot unit, which has produced low-carbon aluminum used in certain Apple laptops and iPhones, Michelob Ultra beer cans, and the wheels for Audi’s electric sports car.

    Elysis launched in 2018 and has raised over 650 million Canadian dollars ($460 million) in investment for the effort, including from the governments of Canada and Quebec. The 450 kA cell will undergo several more years of testing as the company works to measure and validate how the larger unit performs inside a commercial smelter.

    Rio Tinto, meanwhile, has already licensed the inert-anode technology from Elysis. The manufacturer plans to build a demonstration plant with 10 of the 100 kA cells at its existing Arvida smelter in Quebec, possibly by 2027, through a joint venture with the provincial government.

    “We’re trying to replace a process that has been used for close to 140 years,” Perras said of the initiatives.

    Elysis’ 450-kiloampere cell operates inside Rio Tinto’s existing smelter in Quebec. (Elysis)

    Smelting involves dissolving powdery alumina in a molten salt, which is heated to over 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit. Large carbon anodes are lowered into the highly corrosive bath, and electrical currents run through the entire structure. Aluminum then deposits at the bottom as oxygen combines with carbon in the blocks, creating CO2 as a by-product. It also releases perfluorochemicals (PFCs) — long-lasting greenhouse gases — as well as harmful sulfur dioxide pollution.

    The anodes themselves are made using petroleum coke, a rocklike by-product of oil refining.

    The Hall–Héroult process was revolutionary, but it is extremely energy-intensive. Most of the emissions associated with producing aluminum are tied to electricity production. In the United States, more than 70% of CO2 pollution from six operating smelters came from the power supply in 2021, according to the Environmental Integrity Project. (The U.S. now has four smelters left, three of which rely on fossil-fuel power.)

    Another 20% of U.S. smelters’ carbon emissions were directly from the electrochemical process, the EIP study found. Smelting was also responsible for virtually all the PFCs reported by metal producers to the Environmental Protection Agency that year.

    The solution to reducing electricity-related emissions is relatively straightforward: Deploy vast amounts of wind, solar, battery storage, and other clean energy sources. But completely eliminating emissions from the smelting process requires redesigning how the anodes and cells work — and researchers are only just beginning to develop alternatives.

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  • AECOM to deliver HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park, setting new benchmark in logistics infrastructure and driving economic growth in the Greater Bay Area

    AECOM to deliver HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park, setting new benchmark in logistics infrastructure and driving economic growth in the Greater Bay Area

    HONG KONG (November 25, 2025) — AECOM, the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, today announced its appointment by the Hong Kong-Dongguan Sea-Air Intermodal Transshipment Logistics Park Management (Dongguan) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), to deliver the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park (The Park). This strategic initiative will establish a direct link between Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Dongguan, a key manufacturing hub in the Chinese Mainland. By combining Hong Kong’s robust air cargo ecosystem and Dongguan’s export-driven manufacturing strength, this project aims to unlock new efficiencies and drive significant economic growth across the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

    As the lead consultant for Phase 1 of the Park, AECOM is overseeing the design, contract and construction management of the key infrastructure, building on the team’s previous end-to-end services, spanning master planning, design, and technical studies. This initial phase includes an air cargo terminal complex, a barge terminal, freight forwarder warehouses, and highly-automated facilities. A wide array of advanced digital technologies are introduced, including an intelligent guided vehicle (IGV) system and customized containers. This integrated approach sets a new benchmark for logistics infrastructure in the region

    The Park will be the world’s first sea-air intermodal transshipment hub. Export cargo will be screened, palletized, and airline-approved in Dongguan to comply with Hong Kong’s air cargo security requirements. Dedicated vessels will then transport the cargo directly to the airside of HKIA for onward transshipment to global destinations. Once operational, the Park is expected to handle up to one million tons of cargo annually, further strengthening HKIA’s status as a leading global logistics hub.

    “We are leveraging our multidisciplinary expertise and cross-regional capabilities to deliver this first-of-its-kind logistics park,” said Ian Chung, Regional Chief Executive, Asia. “Featuring an innovative operational model and a state-of-the-art autonomous cargo handling system, the project sets a new benchmark for logistics infrastructure and efficiency — significantly enhancing the economic and physical connectivity between the GBA and global markets.”

    “Our deep understanding of the cross-border market enables us to meet client needs with precision, setting us apart in the industry,” added Kelvin Law, Vice President, Strategic Planning, Urbanism+Planning, Asia. “From master planning to completion, we deliver a future-ready, one-stop solution that brings this iconic GBA project to life.”

    AECOM brings deep expertise in delivering complex logistics infrastructure across the GBA, with a proven track record that includes the Cainiao Smart Gateway — a cutting-edge e-commerce logistics hub at HKIA — and the Kwai Chung Cold Storage Logistics Centre, a multi-story, multi-tenant facility with integrated office and public parking. These landmark projects reinforce AECOM’s position as the partner of choice in shaping the future of logistics across the GBA.

    About AECOM 

    AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of US$16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at AECOM.

    Media Contact:
    Daisy Lam
    Marketing & Communications Lead – Asia Business Lines, Hong Kong, Taiwan
    Daisy.Lam@aecom.com

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  • Assessing Hermès After 2025 Price Dip and Expansion Into New International Markets

    Assessing Hermès After 2025 Price Dip and Expansion Into New International Markets

    • If you have ever wondered whether Hermès International Société en commandite par actions is truly worth its luxury stock price, you are in the right place for a fresh look at its value.

    • While the stock is up a stunning 168.5% over the past five years and 3.0% over the last twelve months, it has dipped by 3.8% this past month and is down 8.3% year-to-date. This points to some shifting market sentiment.

    • Recent headlines have highlighted Hermès’ successful expansion into new international markets and continued product innovation, both contributing to investor optimism. However, the company now faces questions about whether current pricing fully reflects future growth as analysts and market watchers debate its next steps.

    • On our valuation checks, Hermès International Société en commandite par actions scores 0 out of 6 for being undervalued. This makes for a compelling case to dig deeper. Let’s break down how different valuation approaches view Hermès, and stick around for a smarter way to gauge value at the end of this article.

    Hermès International Société en commandite par actions scores just 0/6 on our valuation checks. See what other red flags we found in the full valuation breakdown.

    The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model estimates what a company is truly worth by projecting its future cash flows and discounting them back to their present value. For Hermès International Société en commandite par actions, this approach uses recent financial performance and analyst forecasts to estimate future value.

    Currently, Hermès generates trailing twelve month free cash flow of approximately €4.34 billion. Analyst estimates project continued growth, with free cash flow expected to rise to around €5.19 billion by 2027. Over the following years, projections from Simply Wall St extrapolate a steady annual increase, reaching about €6.78 billion by 2035. These growth estimates are crucial in shaping the DCF outcome.

    The DCF model arrives at an intrinsic value of €897.10 per share for Hermès. In comparison, the current market price is over 135% higher than this estimated fair value, indicating the stock is significantly overvalued based on these cash flow projections.

    Result: OVERVALUED

    Our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis suggests Hermès International Société en commandite par actions may be overvalued by 135.2%. Discover 921 undervalued stocks or create your own screener to find better value opportunities.

    RMS Discounted Cash Flow as at Nov 2025

    Head to the Valuation section of our Company Report for more details on how we arrive at this Fair Value for Hermès International Société en commandite par actions.

    The Price-to-Earnings (PE) ratio is widely recognized as a go-to valuation tool for established, profitable companies like Hermès International Société en commandite par actions. It helps investors weigh the stock price relative to how much profit the company generates, providing context for whether shares are expensive or reasonably priced compared to earnings.

    However, a “normal” or “fair” PE ratio can shift depending on a company’s growth prospects and risk profile. Strong earnings growth or stability can justify higher PE multiples, while elevated risk usually leads to a lower fair multiple. It is important to compare Hermès not only to broad industry standards but also to custom benchmarks that reflect these nuances.

    Currently, Hermès trades on a lofty 49.4x PE ratio. For context, the average for European luxury sector peers is 32.1x, while the broader luxury industry sits much lower at 17.4x. On the surface, Hermès appears much more expensive than both its closest rivals and the industry overall.

    This is where Simply Wall St’s proprietary “Fair Ratio” comes into play. Unlike raw peer or industry comparisons, the Fair Ratio incorporates the company’s earnings growth, margins, risks, size, and sector specifics, offering a more customized and insightful benchmark for valuation. The Fair Ratio for Hermès stands at 31.9x, which reflects its above-average profitability, healthy growth, and sector leadership.

    With Hermès’ current valuation well above its Fair Ratio, the stock looks significantly expensive according to this method as well.

    Result: OVERVALUED

    ENXTPA:RMS PE Ratio as at Nov 2025
    ENXTPA:RMS PE Ratio as at Nov 2025

    PE ratios tell one story, but what if the real opportunity lies elsewhere? Discover 1440 companies where insiders are betting big on explosive growth.

    Earlier we mentioned that there is an even better way to understand valuation, so let’s introduce you to Narratives, a dynamic tool that connects your view of Hermès International Société en commandite par actions’ story with its key financial forecasts and a resulting fair value. This allows you to move beyond just ratios or peer comparisons.

    With Narratives, you outline your perspective on Hermès by defining how you think the business will perform in terms of future revenue, profit margins, and growth, which then drives your fair value estimate for the stock. Narratives make valuation personal and actionable because you link your assumptions to the company’s numbers, and the platform shows you whether Hermès looks undervalued or overvalued at today’s share price.

    This approach is both simple and interactive, and it is available to everyone in the Community area of Simply Wall St, where millions of investors regularly share and update their views. Narratives are not static. They automatically adjust when new information arises, like earnings results or news, keeping your outlook relevant. For example, some investors see high long-term growth and strong margins, and have a fair value above €3,000 per share for Hermès, while others highlight risks and slower growth, resulting in a fair value closer to €1,580. This illustrates exactly how different views lead to different investment decisions and timing.

    Do you think there’s more to the story for Hermès International Société en commandite par actions? Head over to our Community to see what others are saying!

    ENXTPA:RMS Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025
    ENXTPA:RMS Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025

    This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

    Companies discussed in this article include RMS.PA.

    Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com

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