Euronext launches three indices to strengthen defence and energy financing

Stock exchange operator Euronext unveils thematic indices to channel capital into Europe's strategic energy, defence and aerospace sectors.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90€/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90€/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 €/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99€/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 €/year from the second year.

Euronext announced on May 6 a series of initiatives aimed at financially supporting European companies active in the energy and defence sectors. Among these measures is the launch of three new thematic indices, designed to reflect the performance of companies operating in sectors considered critical to the continent’s strategic autonomy.

Three indices to guide investment flows

The Euronext European Energy Security Index will track companies in the energy sector, while the Euronext European Aerospace & Defence Index will focus on firms operating in aerospace and defence. Lastly, the Euronext European Strategic Autonomy Index will follow companies contributing to Europe’s strategic independence across key sectors. These indices are intended to serve as benchmarks for institutional investors seeking exposure to these market segments.

According to Stéphane Boujnah, Chief Executive Officer of Euronext Group, “investors are increasingly eager to expand their exposure to growing opportunities related to investments in aerospace, defence, energy and strategic infrastructure in Europe,” he said in a statement released Tuesday.

Deployment of new financing solutions

The operator also plans to establish a “European growth hub for aerospace and defence” by the end of 2025. This facility aims to provide affected companies with easier access to broader financial resources. As part of this strategy, Euronext will offer new solutions to facilitate the issuance of European defence bonds, although precise details have not been disclosed.

Adapting ESG standards to include defence

In parallel, Euronext will revise the methodologies of its existing ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) indices, in line with new guidelines issued by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). These changes will allow certain defence companies, previously excluded due to unfavourable ESG ratings, to be included in the indices.

The initiative reflects a reinterpretation of the ESG acronym by the operator as “Energy, Security and Geostrategy”. This approach seeks to respond to the growing demand for investment aligned with current geopolitical priorities, against a backdrop of uncertainty surrounding US commitment to Europe and increased military spending, particularly in Germany.

Financial sector response and outlook

The financial sector remains cautious toward defence companies, which have traditionally been marginalised in portfolios due to conventional ESG criteria. Including these companies in thematic indices could expand their access to private capital. Mr Boujnah nonetheless affirmed that Euronext’s commitment to traditional ESG standards “remains total,” despite this strategic shift.

Veolia and TotalEnergies formalise a strategic partnership focused on water management, methane emission reduction and industrial waste recovery, without direct financial transaction.
North Atlantic and ExxonMobil have signed an agreement for the sale of ExxonMobil’s stake in Esso S.A.F., a transaction subject to regulatory approvals and financing agreements to be finalised by the end of 2025.
The Canadian pension fund takes a strategic minority stake in AlphaGen, a 11 GW U.S. power portfolio, to address rising electricity demand from data centres and artificial intelligence.
Minnesota’s public regulator has approved the $6.2bn acquisition of energy group Allete by BlackRock and the Canada Pension Plan, following adjustments aimed at addressing rate concerns.
The Swiss chemical group faces two new lawsuits filed in Germany, bringing the total compensation claims from oil and chemical companies to over €3.5bn ($3.7bn) in the ethylene collusion case.
Statkraft continues its strategic shift by selling its district heating unit to Patrizia SE and Nordic Infrastructure AG for NOK3.6bn ($331mn). The deal will free up capital for hydropower, wind, solar and battery investments.
Petronas Gas restructures its operations by transferring regulated and non-regulated segments into separate subsidiaries, following government approval to improve transparency and optimise the group’s investment management.
Marubeni Corporation has formed a power trading unit in joint venture with UK-based SmartestEnergy, targeting expansion in Japan’s fast-changing deregulated market.
Exxon Mobil plans to reduce its Singapore workforce by 10% to 15% by 2027 and relocate its offices to the Jurong industrial site, as part of a strategic investment shift.
Phoenix Energy raised $54.08mn through a preferred stock offering now listed as PHXE.P on NYSE American, with an initial dividend scheduled for mid-October.
TotalEnergies plans to increase its energy production by 4% annually until 2030, while reducing global investments by $7.5bn amid what it describes as an uncertain economic environment.
Occidental Petroleum is considering selling its chemical subsidiary OxyChem for $10bn, a transaction that forms part of its deleveraging strategy launched after several major acquisitions.
ABO Energy is assessing a shift to independent power production by operating its own renewable parks, signalling a major strategic move in a market that has become more favourable.
Fortescue accelerates the decarbonisation of its operations by leveraging an international network of technology and industrial partners, targeting net zero at its mining sites by 2030.
Mexican state-owned company Pemex confirmed the partial acceptance of bond securities under its debt repurchase offer, with a total allocation of $9.9bn, following strong oversubscription.
Swiss energy company MET strengthens its footprint in Central and Southeast Europe with the full acquisition of MET Slovakia and the launch of a new operational subsidiary in Albania.
UK-based Gresham House will acquire Swiss investment manager SUSI Partners, strengthening its international footprint in energy transition infrastructure.
Spruce Power launches an internal reorganisation aimed at reducing annual operating costs by $20mn, with the closure of its Denver office and a refocus on key initiatives to strengthen profitability.
TotalEnergies’ Board of Directors is adjusting its shareholder return strategy while consolidating its multi-energy growth and employee shareholding plan amid an uncertain energy and geopolitical landscape.
Fermi America has signed two letters of intent with Siemens Energy to supply an additional 1.1 GW of gas turbines and collaborate on nuclear steam turbines as part of its 11 GW private energy campus dedicated to artificial intelligence.