LIVE MARKETS-Futures sluggish, new blow to Huawei a boost for Nokia, Ericsson

May 20 - Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of European equity markets brought to

you by Reuters stocks reporters and anchored today by Helen Reid. Reach her on Messenger to

share your thoughts on market moves: helen.reid.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net

FUTURES SLUGGISH, NEW BLOW TO HUAWEI A BOOST FOR NOKIA, ERICSSON (0624 GMT)

While the U.S. lifting tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium helps moderate global trade

tensions slightly, news of further measures against China's Huawei indicates things are far from

peaceful under the surface.

Futures are trading flat to slightly lower.

Nokia and Ericsson are both seen gaining around 1-2%, traders say, after the latest blow

against rival Huawei: a source said Google has suspended business with Huawei that requires the

transfer of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available via open

source licensing.

And the FBI is investigating Johnson & Johnson, Siemens, General Electric, and Philips for

allegedly paying kickbacks as part of a scheme involving medical equipment sales in Brazil,

according to two Brazilian investigators.

EXCLUSIVE-Google suspends some business with Huawei after Trump blacklist

FBI targets Johnson & Johnson, Siemens, GE, Philips in Brazil graft case - sources

Unite Group raises 250 mln stg from external investors

Softcat Says FY Results Will Be Slightly Ahead Of Previous Expectations

Schroders still opposes Non-Standard Finance offer for Provident Financial

Co-op Bank, Barclays held failed takeover talks in late 2018- The Telegraph

(Helen Reid)

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RYANAIR RESULTS, DEUTSCHE BANK REPORT IN FOCUS (0553 GMT)

Results are slowing to a trickle this week but Ryanair stands out among reporters, while

Deutsche Bank is being hit by a New York Times report that anti-money laundering specialists at

the bank recommended in 2016 and 2017 that multiple transactions involving entities controlled

by U.S. President Donald Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner be reported to a financial

crimes watchdog.

Ryanair results aren't looking good: it reported its weakest annual profit in four years and

said earnings could fall further next year. Overcapacity, Brexit, and delays in delivery of the

Boeing 737 Max are taking their toll on the budget airline.

Deutsche Bank shares are falling 1.5% in pre-market trading after the New York Times report,

which it denied.

Swiss voters over the weekend approved a shake-up of the corporate tax system, eliminating

special low tax rates that benefit about 24,000 foreign companies based in the country.

Here are your early headlines:

Bank staff flagged Trump, Kushner transactions for watchdog -NYTimes

Ryanair posts weakest annual profit in 4 years

Swiss voters approve tax and pension overhaul

Benetton family wants Generali to stay in Italian hands - report

Givaudan To Acquire Vietnamese Flavour Company Golden Frog

Global dividends hit record in first quarter as companies shake off macro worries

(Helen Reid)

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EUROPEAN STOCKS PAUSE AS CANADA TARIFFS LIFTED, OIL JUMPS (0525 GMT)

European shares are expected to open mixed this morning after a volatile week. The U.S.

lifting tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium is a much-needed boost to sentiment around

trade, while oil will also be a support. The oil-heavy FTSE 100 is expected to rise.

Asian shares steadied on Monday as investors caught their breath following another week of

escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, with sentiment turning brighter after the United States

said it would lift tariffs in North America.

The U.S. announced on Friday that it would remove tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium,

prompting Canada's foreign minister to vow the quick ratification of a new North American trade

agreement.

Crude prices jumped after Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said there was consensus

among the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to maintain

production cuts to "gently" reduce inventories.

Financial spreadbetters expect London's FTSE to open 10 points higher at 7,358, Frankfurt's

DAX to open 5 points lower at 12,234, and Paris' CAC to open 6 points lower at 5,432.

(Helen Reid)

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(Reporting by Helen Reid, Danilo Masoni, Josephine Mason and Thyagaraju Adinarayan)