Squawk Box Europe Express

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.

In anticipation of the Fed’s milestone meeting, the S&P 500 hits a new record with retail data indicating the U.S. consumer and economy are more resilient than expected. DoubleLine Capital chief Jeffrey Gundlach tells CNBC’s Scott Wapner at the Future Proof wealth management festival he is calling for a 50bps cut. Hezbollah points the finger at Israel after thousands of its pagers explode across Lebanon simultaneously, killing at least 9 and maiming more than 2,700. In pharma news, U.S. authorities expand approval of a Novartis breast cancer drug which would open access to patients at the earlier stages of the disease. Commerzbank is reportedly considering replacing CEO Manfred Knof with a new chief with a mandate to rebuff a Unicredit takeover. And in the UK, investors are increasing bets the Bank of England will cut rates this week, strengthening sterling.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The greenback falls and the Dow hits a record high with investors increasingly betting on a 50bps interest rate cut from the Fed later this week. In Japan, the Nikkei is in the red as the yen strengthens past ¥140 /USD, while a CNBC survey shows a split over the timing of the BoJ’s next rate hike. Struggling chip maker Intel sees shares soar in after-hours trading following its announcement about cutting costs and reining in spending. Meanwhile, Microsoft props up its shares by boosting its dividend and launching a $60bn buyback scheme as it reaps the benefits of its early push into AI.    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chinese data indicates a slowdown in industrial activity and property prices with pressure now increasing on Beijing authorities to increase spending and stimulate demand. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq notch their best week so far this year with bets rising that the Federal Reserve could slash rates by 50bps later this week. We speak to RBI governor Shaktikanta Das who says India can maintain its economic growth of 8 per cent but inflation and rates concern still linger. GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump is safe after what the FBI has described as an attempt on his life at his Mar-A-Lago golf course.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The S&P 500 sees a 4-day win streak after wholesale prices come out in line with expectations, shaking off a tough start to September. No surprise as the ECB delivers its second rate reduction this year, but flags slowing growth as trades pare back bets on an October cut. Donald Trump rules out the possibility of another presidential debate, as the Harris campaign says it has raised almost $50 million in the 24 hours since Tuesday night’s face-off. Boeing workers decide to go on strike for the first time since 2008, as 96% of employees vote to walk out. A state-backed UAE firm reportedly enters talks to invest in OpenAI, as the ChatGPT maker unveils new models it says are capable for more human-like reasoning.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Asian chipmakers climb higher following a tech-led rebound on Wall Street, as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang attempts to reassure investors over its delayed Blackwell chip production. U.S. inflation falls in August while core CPI surprises to the upside, with Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon telling CNBC exclusively that he still believes in a soft-landing. OpenAi is reportedly in talks over a fresh fundraising round, which would see the Chat GPT maker valued at $150 billion. Over in Europe, the ECB lines up its second rate cut of the cycle as markets bet on another 25 basis point move lower, with UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti reinforcing that view in an exclusive interview with CNBC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump face off in the first and possibly last presidential debate, clashing over immigration, abortion, and the economy. Big bank shares take a bruising after JP Morgan claims its earnings expectations are too optimistic, with CEO Jamie Dimon warning of stagflation risks. Today’s U.S. inflation print has investors searching for clues on the Fed’s next move, with Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan telling CNBC that the rate environment will remain restrictive. Auto shares slump as BMW and Continental stocks hit 2-year lows, while Volkswagen prepares for possible job cuts next year. Amazon Web Services announces an £8 billion investment in the UK, the latest in a string of recent expansion moves to Europe.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apple’s new iPhone 16 launch fails to send stocks higher, as investors and customers must wait for full AI features. Meanwhile, rival Huawei secures more than 3 million pre-orders for its new tri-fold phone. U.S. equities rebound from its worst week of the year, as soft-landing hopes boosts the S&P 500 to its biggest daily jump in three weeks. Also in China, export data exceeds forecasts, while imports declined near the flatline amid low domestic demand. In the U.S., Kamala Harris and Donald Trump get ready to face off in their first presidential debate, as polls show a neck-to-neck Presidential race. Global dividends hit a fresh record in the second quarter, as more firms are either raising payouts or maintaining them, according to Janus Henderson.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The S&P 500 posts its worst week since 2023, as traders reprice their Fed cut predictions following a mixed jobs report. Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders tells CNBC that “Europe is a monster”, as his party tries to navigate its future relationship with the EU. Asian equities reel from soft landing jitters as Chinese consumer inflation numbers come weaker than expected. In France, more than a hundred thousand people take to the street to protest the appointment of Prime Minister Michel Barnier, while Paris asks the EU for more time to confirm its debt plans. And in tech, Apple is set to unveil its newest iPhone, betting on Ai to drive demand and fight off competition from China, as Huawei plans its own launch later today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

U.S. employment data sends mixed signals as global equities tread water ahead of a crucial nonfarm jobs report. Markets are split between a 25 and 50 basis point cut at the Fed’s next meeting - Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz tells CNBC that he is voting bigger. OPEC-plus producers delay plans to ramp up oil production by at least two months, as crude prices slump to their lowest level this year. Elsewhere, President Macron appoints veteran conservative Michel Barnier as France’s new Prime Minister after a nearly 60-day stalemate. Volvo CEO Jim Rowan tells CNBC that the EV transition is taking longer than expected, as the carmaker scraps plans to go fully electric by 2030.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The S&P 500 notches back-to-back sessions in the red while mega-cap tech stocks claw back recent losses in what has been a volatile start to September on Wall Street. Qualcomm launches a new AI PC processor, challenging Intel and AMD. CEO Cristiano Amon tells CNBC the X Elite series is a threat to incumbents in the sector. Iconic UK fashion house Burberry is relegated out of the FTSE 100 after 15 years on the exchange. Daimler Truck promotes Karin Rådström to CEO, replacing Martin Daum at the helm from October.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.