Ceasefire buzz moves markets. Prysmian, NKT rally - Nov 19, 2025

As of November 19, today’s news sees geopolitical developments around a potential U.S.-brokered Ukraine peace plan and the resulting market reactions across European industrial and defense stocks. According with two people familiar with the matter, Washington is urging Kyiv to accept a U.S.-drafted peace framework that would involve territorial concessions and a smaller army, while a Politico report on an imminent ceasefire plan triggered mixed reactions in European markets. Defense stocks fell sharply, whereas several industrial names benefited from the shift. In this context, Prysmian stood out among the top gainers, rising about 5%. Meanwhile, NKT shares jump as much as 12%, the most since April and to a fresh record high, after the Danish cable manufacturer reported its latest earnings and presented new 2030 targets. Analysts say the strong 3Q report confirms the company’s momentum and that the new targets inspire confidence. Investors were expecting much higher 2028 targets, in part because its competitor Prysmian had significantly upgraded guidance for its transmission business this year, JPM analysts said. Turning to broader market updates, Schneider Electric announced substantial deals worth nearly 2.3 billion dollars with U.S. data center operators, supporting the growing demand driven by artificial intelligence. Concurrently, Nokia revealed a new strategy focused on AI, projecting a significant boost in core profits over the next three years as it aims to reorganize its operations. On the geopolitical front, Poland has taken measures in response to a railway sabotage attributed to Russia, including the closure of its last Russian consulate and the deployment of additional troops to secure infrastructure. Concurrently, the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress voted almost unanimously today to force the release of Justice Department files on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, an outcome President Donald Trump had fought for months before ending his opposition.