Siren: Paul Ryan confidants say he's not running again

House Speaker Paul Ryan has told confidants that he will announce soon that he won't run for reelection in November, according to sources with knowledge of the conversations.
Why it matters: House Republicans were already in a very tough spot for the midterms, with many endangered members and the good chance that Democrats could win the majority.

One of Washington’s best-wired Republicans said:
“This is a Titanic, tectonic shift. … This is going to make every Republican donor believe the House can’t be held.” The announcement will help Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in his fundraising because “the Senate becomes the last bastion," the Republican said.
Background:
  • This decision has been long rumored but his final deliberations were held extremely closely.
  • Ryan, 48, was the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2012, and has long harbored presidential ambitions. Friends say he could make another run in the future.
  • Friends say that after Ryan passed tax reform, his longtime dream, he was ready to step out of a job that has become endlessly frustrating, in part because of President Trump.
  • Friends say Ryan was contemplating a minority or slim majority and decided that there was no good time to leave — it was time for at least a stint in private life.

>>> Merlin stake acquired by ABN AMRO Participaties - report (translated)

Merlin stake acquired by ABN AMRO Participaties - report (translated)
11 APR 2018
A stake in Netherlands-based Merlin has been acquired by ABN AMRO Participaties, Dutch newswebsite Iex.nl reported. The stake is substantial, but its exact size not known, the report said. Iex.nl cited an unspecified announcement. Financial details were not made public.
Merlin is based in the Dutch town of Maarssen. The company designs, develops, produces and maintains payment solutions based on cash and electronic methods. In this segment, Merlin is market leader in The Netherlands, according to its website.
The acquisition is aimed at the faster growth of Merlin, focusing on innovative payment methods and the expansion of its international network, the report added.

>>> US Gapping up


Gapping up
In reaction to strong earnings/guidance:

  • N/A

Select metals/mining stocks trading higher:

  • GFI +4%, ABX +1.4%, GOLD +1.1%, AUY +1.1%, GDX +1%, GLD +0.7%

Other news:

  • VHC +36.6% (won $500 mln patent infringement suit vs. Apple)
  • SPPI +7.9% (continued strength)
  • NVTA +4.5% (Baker Bros affirms increased holding)
  • HL +1.1% (discloses preliminary Q1 silver and gold production results)
  • HLT +0.9% (prices secondary offering of 60 mln shares of common stock by a selling stockholder affiliated with HNA Tourism Group at $73.00 per share)
  • RCL +0.8% (modestly rebounding)

Analyst comments:

  • SYNA +2.3% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Mizuho)
  • MAT +1.6% (upgraded to Hold from Underperform at Jefferies)

>>> US Early premarket gappers


Early premarket gappers

Gapping up:

  • VHC +40.2%, SPPI +5.6%, NVTA +4.5%, SYNA +2%, HL +1.1%, RCL +0.8%, NOK +0.7%, GOGO +0.5%

Gapping down:

  • BW -37.2%, ALOG -12.4%, LAYN -6.3%, XELA -5.7%, FAST -3%, FOXA -1.6%, GOOS -1.1%, FTNT -0.9%

>>> Trump on Twitter

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump

Our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War. There is no reason for this. Russia needs us to help with their economy, something that would be very easy to do, and we need all nations to work together. Stop the arms race?