Squawk Box Europe Express

Dutch chip maker ASML suffers its worst sell-off since 1998 after it slashed its sales outlook in an earnings release it published accidentally. Chip stocks see heavy losses globally as a result. French luxury giant LVMH posts its first quarterly loss since the Covid pandemic, missing expectations with the group warning Chinese consumer confidence has hit an all-time low. Adidas increases its FY outlook for the third time this year as bumper sales of its retro sneaker models helped it to a Q3 earnings beat. In China, equities endure choppy trade as the housing ministry announces it will give another public update briefing on the country’s beleaguered property sector tomorrow.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Crude prices tumble following reports that Israel will back off targeting Iranian oil or nuclear infrastructure. Opec has also slashed its demand forecast. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 records its 46th record close of 2024, helped along by tech giant Nvidia hitting a new all-time high which places it on the verge of overtaking Apple as the world’s most valuable company. We are live at the Paris Motor Show where European car makers pledge to take on Chinese competition. Xpeng CEO Brian Gu tells CNBC the company is looking beyond European Union EV import tariffs. In London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer vows to cut red tape to ramp up investment in the country. BNY CEO Robin Vince tells this channel a steady, pro-growth and consistent approach is key for investors.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chinese consumer inflation disappoints for September while deflation deepens in the manufacturing sector. Chinese markets see a volatile session following Saturday’s finance ministry press conference. Finance minister Lan Fo’an says there is ample room for more stimulus measures but stopped short of giving specific details. In the U.S., JPMorgan beats quarterly earnings expectations while Wells Fargo also posts a solid beat on the bottom line. The UK attempts to diffuse a row over investment in the country with DP World on the eve of a international summit on London as the government announces a reported £50bn round of new investments. We are also live at the Paris Motor Show where the beleaguered European sector is reeling from profit warnings, falling demand and pressure from Chinese automakers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

U.S. inflation data comes in higher than expected with the 10-year Treasury yield held above 4 per cent. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic has proposed a pause in the cutting cycle at next month’s Fed meeting. Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveils the company’s long-awaited ‘Cybercab’ with a prospective production date in 2026 but early market indications are potentially sceptical. In China, there is further trouble for the markets with the Shenzhen Composite tumbling by more than 15 per cent for the week ahead of tomorrow’s finance ministry press conference. And the new French government launches its 2025 budget, which includes €60bn of tax hikes and spending cuts, in a bid to slash the country’s ballooning deficit.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

FOMC minutes show greater splits over last month’s jumbo 50bps rate cut than initially thought but sanguine U.S. equities shrug off news about September’s Fed decision. In Asia, Chinese stocks extend gains amid heavy trading volumes as the PBOC’s 500bn yuan stimulus measures come into effect. Germany downgrades its growth forecasts, now guiding for a second year of recession. Economy Minister Robert Habeck claims the government is seeing progress in tackling both the country’s structural problems and global challenges. Airbus deliveries are down 9 per cent in September but the plane maker believes it will achieve FY targets in the final quarter. And in the U.S., up to 2 million people are without power after Hurricane Milton smashes into Florida’s central Gulf Coast and barrels inland, now downgraded to a Cat 2 storm.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chinese equities come crashing back to Earth, snapping a 10-day winning streak following the PBOC’s recent stimulus measures as economic realities sober up markets. Stateside, the DoJ is considering a break-up of Google following August’s landmark monopoly ruling. French Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s fledgling government survives a parliamentary vote of no-confidence as he prepares to launch his budget plans to cabinet tomorrow. And in Florida, Hurricane Milton has once again been upgraded to a Category 5 storm with authorities urging Gulf Coast residents to leave the region. President Biden has warned evacuation is now a matter of life and death.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Chinese blue-chip CSI 300 Index pares gains of more than 10 per cent following the week-long National Day Holiday. An official CCP economic conference subsequently fails to wow investors. The World Bank issues a 4.3 per cent growth forecast for the world’s second-largest economy as turmoil in the Chinese property market persists. Tech giant Samsung issues a rare apology for offering Q3 profit guidance which was well below analyst expectations. The chip maker said it had struggled against higher supply from rival Chinese companies. We are live at Hon Hai Tech Day in Taipei, Taiwan where Foxconn chairman Young Liu tells CNBC that the A.I. investment boom is still very much in the process of evolving.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Hang Seng stands out among strong Asia equities, hitting a two-and-a-half-year high following Friday’s bumper U.S. jobs data. Confidence is growing that the U.S. is set for a soft landing. Crude prices have enjoyed their best weekly gains in almost two years on the back of last week’s Middle East tensions. Supply disruptions are in focus on the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Taiwanese semi-conductor giant FoxConn notches record Q3 revenue after seeing a 20 per cent demand surge for A.I. servers. Miner Rio Tinto eyes lithium producer Arcadium as it looks to grow the metal’s lucrative long-term revenue stream. And in gaming news, France’s Ubisoft sees shares soar by more than 30 per cent amid reports of potential buyout talks by Chinese tech giant Tencent.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Crude prices spike once again as U.S. President Joe Biden appears to say that Israeli retaliatory strikes on Iranian oil facilities may be under discussion. Wall Street looks set to snap a three-week winning streak with investors eyeing today’s key non-farm payroll data. OpenAI reveals it has secured a $4bn revolving credit line following the closure of yesterday’s funding round which leaves the company valued at more than $150bn. CFO Sarah Friar tells our colleagues Stateside that financing the A.I. revolution will need significant investment. The U.S. ports strike has been suspended as dockworkers return to the negotiating table after reaching a potential pay deal. And in retail news, the Chinese fast-fashion brand Shein is reportedly to hold ‘roadshows’ ahead of a potential IPO in London.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Crude prices continue upwards as Israel ramps up strikes on Hezbollah in Beirut and considers retaliatory measures following Iran’s missile attack on Tuesday. OpenAI manages to raise $6.6bn in a new round of fund-raising which has increased its valuation to $157bn. The U.S. private sector continues to surprise with non-farm payroll growth topping expectations as traders reduce their rate cut expectations ahead of tomorrow’s employment data print. The yen slides further against the greenback after its largest single-day fall in more than 2 years. New Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba believes that the country is not ready for further rate hikes which has lifted Japanese equities. And in autos news, Tesla posts its first quarter of annual growth this year but falls short on delivery expectations.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Crude prices spike after Iran launches close to 200 missiles at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah. In New York, Vice-Presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz go head-to-head in what is likely the last debate of the presidential race. The pair clashed on immigration, foreign affairs and economic policy. The Nasdaq drags Wall Street down with stocks beginning Q4 in the red. JOLTs numbers show an unexpected rise in August jobs openings. In Asia, the Hang Seng returns from a one-day holiday in the green. Beijing’s recent stimulus measures push property stocks almost 15 per cent higher. And in retail news, Nike withdraws its FY forecast and postpones its investor day, causing its shares to tank almost 6 per cent in extended trade.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Dow and the S&P 500 notch new records while the Nasdaq enjoys its fourth consecutive quarter in the green. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell says the central bank does not have pre-set projections for rate cuts. In Japan, equities recover some ground ahead of new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba unveiling his new cabinet. Stateside, up to 50,000 longshoremen begin their first strike in almost half a decade across a number of East Coast and Gulf of Mexico ports in a move that some analysts estimate will cost the American economy up to $5bn a day. Israeli special forces begin targeted ground operations in southern Lebanon aimed at destroying Hezbollah positions and infrastructure. ECB President Christine Lagarde says she is broadly in favour of cross-border banking mergers as Unicredit continues to woo German lender Commerzbank.    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chinese equities surge, building on their best week since 2008, after manufacturing data comes in better than expected, despite the sector shrinking for the fifth straight month. Japanese stocks plummet, however, and yields move higher on a stronger yen as the markets digest the impact of incoming Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. In auto news, Volkswagen issues a second profit warning in 3 months as it continues talks with unions over potential plant closures. UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel and incoming Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp have reportedly set out plans for the German lender in a virtual meeting as speculation of a potential takeover bid persists. Israel kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike on a south Beirut suburb.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The PBOC’s rate cuts come into effect with trillions of yuan worth of further stimulus measures potentially due next week. Beijing’s stimulus blitz causes Chinese equities to soar with markets on track to notching their best week since 2008. Commerzbank and Unicredit sit down for negotiations for the first time since the Italian lender aggressively increased its stake. Commerzbank shares are at their highest level in more than a decade on the back of upgraded targets. We are live in Tokyo where voting is underway to decide the next leader of the ruling LDP party.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Micron shares are up after the memory chip maker smashes Q1 revenue forecasts. Its bumper outlook pushes tech stocks up in Asia, helping along a regional rebound. Spanish lender BBVA’s head says European banks risk falling behind their U.S. peers if governments block M&A activity. We speak to the BNP Paribas CFO Lars Machenil who urges consolidation among Continental banks. We also hear from OECD chief economist Alvaro Pereira who says that the global economy is showing signs of stabilising but that governments should remain focused on fiscal discipline.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Commerzbank promotes CFO Bettina Orlopp to CEO as the German lender faces takeover advances by Italy’s Unicredit. Chinese equities see an extended rally following the PBOC’s decision to slash the medium-term lending rate as a part of a string of stimulus measures by the central bank. The move boosts the yuan to a 16-month high. On Wall Street, the Dow and S&P 500 record new record highs, shrugging off disappointing recent consumer confidence data. Israeli airstrikes kill a senior Hezbollah commander as well as hundreds of civilians. The Israeli President Isaac Herzog tells CNBC his country will ‘do whatever it takes’ to protect its citizens and cities.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Asian equities hit a two-and-a-half-year high following stimulus measures from Beijing. The PBOC cuts the seven-day reverse repo and the RRR in a bid to shore of up the country’s floundering property sector. Our CNBC TV 18 colleagues sit down with JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon who says markets should remain cautious despite last week’s historical rate cut by the Fed. On Wall Street, the Dow and the S&P 500 notch new records as the Fed cut relief rally continues this week. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz slams Unicredit after the Italian lender increases its stake in Commerzbank to a potential 21 per cent. And we are live at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool where chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves defends the government’s public finance decisions and says her budget next month will provide ambition rather than austerity.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

China surprises by slashing its key short-term repo rate and announcing a rare economic press conference which triggers speculation of further stimulus measures from Beijing. In France a new government drawn together by Prime Minister Michel Barnier is under threat from a vote of no confidence over his ministerial choices. Apollo Global Management is reportedly eyeing a $5bn investment in Intel while Qualcomm reaches out with a friendly take-over bid. And Rupert Murdoch’s REA Group ups its takeover offer for UK property firm Rightmove following last week’s initial rejection.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wall Street notches its best day in six weeks with tech stocks leading the way as the markets celebrate this week’s 50bps Fed rate cut. In China the PBOC bucks expectations of a further rate cut and the BoJ stays put as well while hiking its forecast on domestic consumption. Mercedes slashes its profit outlook once again as Chinese sales fall. And in France, new prime minister Michel Barnier puts the finishing touches on his cabinet in a bid to end months of political deadlock following inconclusive elections in July.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Reserve announces its eagerly awaited first rate cut of 50 basis points since the outset of the Covid pandemic with policy makers predicting one further cut this year. The market reaction was mixed with Wall Street closing lower, despite the Dow and S&P 500 initially scaling fresh all-time highs. Equities in Asia saw strong gains following the news from the Fed. Our colleagues in Asia speak to Bridgewater Capital’s Ray Dalio who warns that soaring debt levels Stateside will still prove challenging for the central bank. We are live in Brittany, north-west France, where Spanish green energy giant Iberdrola opens a €2.4bn offshore wind farm. Chairman Ignacio Galan tells CNBC grid expansion is crucial. Investors await today’s Bank of England rate decision with a potential expansion of quantitative tightening expected.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.