Squawk Box Europe Express

UBS posts a better-than-expected Q4 net loss of $279m. U.S. markets are in the red as the 2-years Treasury yield reaches a one-month high as strong services numbers pushes back expectations of an early Fed rate cut. In China, authorities move to mitigate a slump in the stock market helping both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen indices up. In pharma news, Novartis buys up cancer treatment firm MorphoSys while Novo Nordisk snaps up a key manufacturing sub-contractor for its obesity drug WeGovy. BoE chief economist Huw Pill says it is a matter of when, not if, the central bank moves to cut rates after retail sales slow in January.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Money markets temper expectations for a March cut after Fed Chair Jerome Powell warns of moving too fast too soon - saying he wants to see more data to confirm that inflation is headed down to 2%. U.S. yields jump following a stellar payrolls report, as hiring hits 353,000 in January - nearly twice the forecast. The wild ride in Chinese stocks stretches into a new week, with the Shanghai Composite hitting a fresh 52-week low despite efforts from regulators to calm the situation. And The U.S. launches more strikes against Iran-backed groups in the Middle East in retaliation for an attack on a base in Jordan, as White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warns this is just the beginning.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apple beats on the top and bottom line in Q1 but weakness in China weighs and executives warn of falling iPhone sales. Meta sees its market cap balloon by $140bn after shares soared in after-hours trading following strong quarterly results. The tech giant also unveiled its inaugural dividend payout. Amazon posts record Q4 operating income following cost-cutting measures. Its cloud service AWS grew revenue by 13 per cent. BoE Governor Andrew Bailey suggests that markets could be correct in predicting the rate cut timeline after the central bank kept rates steady in the first three-way split since 2008. And in the U.S., the Dow enjoys its best week since mid-December as investors anticipate today’s non-farm payroll data.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell dampens investor hopes of a much-anticipated rate cut in March with the S&P 500 suffering its worst session since September. French lender BNP Paribas disappoints, posting a Q4 profit of just over €1bn on higher provisions. The bank also pares back its profitability targets. In retail, Adidas predicts profits will almost double in 2024 to €500m following the sportswear titan’s controversial split with rapper Kanye West. And we hear from a slew of European CEOs today with Q4 corporate earnings in full swing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Disappointing advertising revenues push Alphabet shares into the red in extended trade despite the tech giant posting its fastest quarter for revenue growth since early 2022. Microsoft beats on the top and bottom line, enjoying its highest profit growth in more than two years but guidance for the current quarter is lukewarm. In the U.S., a Delaware judge rules against Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s $56bn pay package calling it ‘deeply flawed’, arguing that the board of directors had failed to prove it was fair. Shares in the EV maker slid around 3 per cent in extended trade. Chinese factory activity suffers its fourth straight month of contraction but the IMF’s Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas tells CNBC the country is exhibiting some signs of resilience.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Both the Dow and S&P 500 notch their sixth record session for the year as the U.S. Treasury slashes its Q1 borrowing guidance. Investors Stateside are now anticipating mega-cap tech earnings. In Hong Kong, tech and property firms drag stocks lower. Asian indices bar Japan are set to now break a two-month winning run. Car giant Renault cancels plans to list its EV unit due to poor market conditions and slowing uptake throughout Europe. Gambling giant Flutter debuts on the NYSE and now plans to make Wall Street its home in what appears to be yet another blow to the LSE.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Asia markets are in the green following a record close for the Dow on the back of personal consumption expenditure falling below 3 per cent for the first time in almost three years. Share of Chinese property giant Evergrande are stopped from trading after a the Hong Kong High Court orders the liquidation of the developer. Swiss building materials firm Holcim is to spin off and list its North American arm on Wall Street with a target valuation pf $30bn.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

French luxury giant LVMH smashes expectations to post almost $24bn in Q4 sales on rebounding Chinese demand. CEO Bernard Arnault has urged the need to focus on quality over quantity. On Wall Street the S&P 500 hits a record high to close in the green for a fifth consecutive session while the Dow also scores a new record peak on the back of stronger-than-expected economic growth Stateside. Tesla shares sink the most in a year with the EV maker seeing $80bn wiped off its valuation as demand weakens. And in tech news, Intel also sees a fall in its share price in extended trade as poor demand for data centre chips affect Q1 guidance. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tesla earnings disappoint, sliding by 40 per cent in Q4. The EV maker has warned of weaker sales throughout 2024. Meanwhile, streaming giant Netflix sees shares hit double digits, helping the Nasdaq along with 34 points as new subscribers topped 13 million for the quarter. In aviation news, the FAA has limited production of Boeing 737 Max 9 jets but has approved existing craft for service with the first planes expected to fly from tomorrow. And we are counting down to the ECB’s first rate decision of 2024 where investors expect a ‘hold’ and more guidance on the future path of cuts.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Netflix shares are up in extended trade as the streaming giant boosts subscriber numbers and revenue beats expectations. The company has also inked a $5bn deal to stream live WWE. Former U.S. President Donald Trump secures victory in the New Hampshire primary over Nikki Haley who has refused to bow out of the race to become GOP presidential nominee. The contest will now move to Haley’s home state of South Carolina in late February. German software titan SAP announces a €2bn streamlining project which could affect up to 8,000 jobs in order to focus more directly on A.I. ambitions. In Ankara, the Turkish parliament finally ratifies Sweden’s NATO membership bid with Hungary’s approval now the remaining obstacle.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Dow hits a record 38,000 points for the first time as major U.S. indices finish in the green for a second consecutive session ahead of a number of corporate earnings this week. The Nikkei follows suit in Japan – its highest level since 1990 - after the BoJ maintains its ultra-loose monetary policy. It has, however, cut its FY 2024 guidance. Israel has offered a two-month ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza in exchange for the release of 130 hostages. Hamas has demanded a full Israeli withdrawal from the Strip. And in Hong Kong, shares are surging after Chinese authorities consider a trillion-yuan rescue package for the country’s declining stock market.    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

U.S. markets are in the green with the S&P 500 surging to a new record high on the back of positive consumer data. In U.S. politics, Florida governor Ron DeSantis bows out of the race to become the GOP presidential candidate two days before the New Hampshire primary, endorsing former president Donald Trump. Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley is now Trump’s sole challenger for the nomination. United Airlines cancels all flights using Boeing’s troubled 737 Max 9 model. Meanwhile, the FAA has urged all carriers to carry out door plug checks on yet another Boeing model – the 900ER. And in Europe, cities across Germany see a second week of mass protest against an AfD ‘re-migration’ policy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are live in Davos where Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba tells CNBC he feels reassured by the Biden administration’s commitment to military aid for his country and that the tone of discussions remains constant. U.S. jobless claims hit a 16-month low while U.S. Tech stocks fuel a rebound on Wall Street. The Dow and the S&P 500, however, are set for their second negative week in three. In the Red Sea, Houthi rebels hit a U.S. owned commercial vessel just hours after President Joe Boden talks down the effectiveness of strikes on Yemen. KSA finance minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan tells this channel his country is desperate to de-escalate tensions in the region. Former BoE governor Mark Carney claims that whatever the result of the U.S. elections this November, the President will be faced with a rapidly transforming energy and intelligence scenario. In Washington, U.S. lawmakers manage to avert a partial government shutdown until March passing a stop-gap bill. And in M&A news, online community

European equities react negatively following hawkish comments from ECB President Christine Lagarde who warns not to expect interest rate cuts until the summer. In Davos we hear from outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte who says centrist parties in Europe must be clearer on tough issues in the face of populist party challenges. We also speak to UK Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves who is positioning Labour as a pro-business party, with no plans to increase income tax. French President Emmanuel Macron issues a rallying cry for the EU project but bemoans the bloc’s fragmentation. Tech giant Apple will remove a blood oxygen feature from Apple watches after an appeals court reinstates a U.S. sales ban following an I.P. dispute with med-tech firm Masimo.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

China manages to attain its FY GDP targets, however its weak property sector and a fourth quarter miss drags on Asian equities. In Davos, we hear from Polish President Andrzej Duda who says he is not surprised that Ukraine refuses face-to-face talks with Moscow and warns military spending must increase in order to ward off Russian aggression in Europe. The U.S. launches fresh strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen while the Iranian foreign minister tells CNBC that America is the root cause of the current tensions in the Middle East and Red Sea. Google CEO Ruth Porat says A.I. is the ‘great equaliser’, with the potential to help both the developed and developing world in areas of healthcare and food security. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield tops 4 per cent after the Fed’s Christopher Waller calls for a more cautious approach to rate cuts later this year.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump wins a resounding victory in the Iowa caucus, solidifying his position as the GOP presidential frontrunner. Florida governor Ron DeSantis pips Nikki Haley to second place while Vivek Ramaswamy bows out of the race. We are live in Davos at the World Economic Forum where ECB board member Robert Holzmann tells CNBC exclusively that the central bank may not cut interest rates at all this year. Holzmann warned those expecting cuts may be ‘deeply disappointed’. Meanwhile, IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva says she expects a soft landing for the global economy but that central banks are still exposed to risk this year. In the Gulf of Aden, Houthi rebels hit a U.S. owned commercial ship following last week’s U.S. and UK airstrikes. And in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng leads declines while the Dow is likely to open 100 points lower following the MLK Day long weekend.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priv

Taiwan’s incumbent Democratic Progressive Party win a historic third term in office with incoming president Lai Ching-te resisting pressure for reunification with China. The Nikkei rallies to breach 36,000 points for the first time in almost 34 years while Wall Street posts its tenth week in the green out of eleven. U.S. banks kick off earnings season. JPMorgan and Bank of America both see a drop in profits while Citi also posts losses for the quarter. Former U.S. president Donald Trump leads GOP rival Nikki Haley by 28 points in the final NBC poll ahead of today’s Iowa caucus. And we are live in Davos, Switzerland where Ukraine peace talks have ended with scant progress, with the Russian contingent once again absent. We hear from the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, who says the current administration will never accept a frozen conflict.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Crude prices surge following U.S. and UK strikes on Houthis targets in western Yemen in response to continued attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. In the U.S., CPI data comes in higher than expected. The Dow reaches a new intra-day high before closing the session flat. Chinese export data is up by more than expected for December but deflationary pressures persist with consumer prices falling for their longest streak since 2009. Airbus maintains its lead over Boeing for the fifth straight year. CEO Christian Scherer hails the ‘remarkable’ demand for its planes. And we are live in Taipei ahead of Saturday’s presidential election which is seen as pivotal in shaping Chinese-Western relations.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a monumental day for crypto with the SEC finally approving spot Bitcoin ETFs. Up to 11 funds are due to start trading as soon as today. Speaking to CNBC, Ark Invest President Tom Staudt says the asset class will now have a far greater reach among investors. U.S. markets are in the green with the Dow recording its fourth positive session in five ahead of today’s inflation data. Asian equities ride the green wave with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng leading the charge. The Nikkei 225 breaches the 35,000 level for the first time since 1990. In aviation news, Alaska Airlines and United cancel further flights following last week’s 737 Max 9 blow-out incident. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun tells our colleagues stateside that the investigation will be pivotal.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Dow snaps a three-day winning streak despite chip maker Nvidia hitting a new all-time record. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 breaches the 34,000-point mark for the first time in 34 years. The SEC deletes a post on X which claimed crypto ETFs had been approved, with Bitcoin seesawing as a result. The World Bank says global growth is on track for its slowest half-decade in 30 years. Its Deputy Chief Economist Ayhan Kose tells CNBC that financing conditions around the world will remain ‘restrictive’ for the foreseeable future. In the fall-out from the 737 Max 9 mid-air blow-out, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun tells staff such an incident can never happen again and acknowledges mistakes had been made by the plane maker. And in France, 34-year-old Gabriel Attal becomes the country’s youngest ever Prime Minister as President Macron seeks to reinvigorate his cabinet. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.