Squawk Box Europe Express

Chinese annual GDP has come in at its second-worst rate since the Cultural Revolution, growing at only 3 per cent – well below its official 5.5 per cent target. The country’s population also contracted for the first time in six decades. We hear from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez who says the EU should follow the U.S. lead on fighting inflation and that he hopes a trade war could be avoided. The World Economic Forum kicks off in its annual winter slot for the first time since 2020 in Davos. ‘Polycrisis’ and fragmentation risks are two central themes this year as the IMF warns the developing world is falling behind. Up to two-thirds of global economists are braced for recession within a year while CEO confidence has fallen to a more than 10-year low. And in Japan, the BoJ holds its two-day policy meeting. The 10-year JGB has surpassed the 0.5 per cent threshold for the third consecutive session.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:/

The 10-year JGB breaks the BoJ’s ceiling for a second day while the yen surges. The central bank is now under pressure to begin tightening monetary policy. The IMF has a dire warning ahead of this year’s World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, predicting that economic fragmentation could cause global GDP to fall by up to 7 per cent. On Wall Street, U.S. banks post a mixed set of Q4 results amid increased provisioning and downturn concerns. Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan says 2023 will see likely see a ‘mild recession’ in early to mid-2023. Credit Suisse is reportedly to slash 10 per cent of its investment banking staff as part of its next wave of restructuring.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

US consumer prices for December plunge at their steepest rate since April 2020. The headline CPI of 6.5 per cent is the smallest annual rise in more than a year. Despite Fed officials Patrick Harker and James Bullard insisting that rates will continue to rise, there are hopes the central bank could start cutting them later this year as inflation eases. In China, December exports hit their lowest level since February 2020, while Covid infections have continued to hamper domestic demand. Tesla is set to slash EV prices Stateside on its most popular models by 20 per cent in a bid to claw back market share following a rollercoaster 2022. And U.S. AG Merrick Garland appoints a special counsel to investigate classified documents found at President Biden’s home and private offices.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Asian markets are at a seven-month high on the back of the Nasdaq’s first four-day rally since last September. Investors are now awaiting the U.S. inflation data later today. In China, the CPI accelerates in line with falling Covid restrictions. However, factory prices are unexpectedly down, hampered by continuing snags in the global supply chain. Disney shares are up on the announcement that Mark Parker is to become the next chairman. Activist investor Nelson Peltz is denied a seat on the board at the entertainment giant. The world’s largest chip maker, TSMC, posts a near-80 per cent surge in Q4 profits of close to $10bn. And we hear from WEF managing director Saadia Zahidi ahead of next week’s Davos annual meeting. She tells CNBC that the cost-of-living crisis and climate change are the most grave crises facing the globe. 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 says he recognises the pain of rising interest rates but insisted that the central bank needs to maintain its independence to successfully make difficult policy decisions. The Hang Seng leads Asian markets into the green as China continues to reopen follow. The World Bank cuts its global growth forecast almost by half warning that the economy is on pace for its weakest growth in 30 years. President David Malpass tells CNBC that despite the gloom, China’s reopening is a ‘key variable’. Airbus remains well ahead of Boeing as the world’s top plane maker with 2022 deliveries climbing by 8 per cent. And in France, a nationwide strike is announced for next week following the government’s move to extend the retirement age from 62 years to 64 in order to avoid a major structural deficit.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The New Year Wall Street rally stumbles with the Dow and S&P 500 closing in the red after the Fed Reserve’s Raphael Bostic and Mary Daly confirm that although hikes will slow the terminal rate will likely surpass the 5 per cent mark. Markets in China pull back somewhat following the reopening bounce. State officials say that several regions are now past the peak of Covid infections. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla tells CNBC is could begin to manufacture its Paxlovid dose with a local Chinese partner within a matter of months. French President Emmanuel Macron’s government is set to roll out its pension reform plan, putting it on a collision course with unions and left-wing MPs. And in the UK, the government fails to agree a pay deal with various unions, potentially setting up more strike action this winter.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

U.S. indices rally to their best daily performance since November as a favourable December jobs reports raises hopes of a soft landing Stateside. CNBC hears exclusively from Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic who says that the pace of hikes could slow if there are signs of loosening in the labour market. Asian markets are in the green as China opens its borders and scraps Covid quarantine rules for the first time in three years. Alibaba shares are up as Ant Group founder Jack Ma gives up control of the company, easing tensions with the Chinese Communist Party. Ant now insists it will not relaunch an IPO. And in Brasilia, Brazil, hundreds of Jair Bolsonaro supporters storm the nation’s Congress, Supreme Court and other government buildings following last week’s inauguration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stronger-than-expected employment data Stateside fuels concerns about further Fed tightening, pushing U.S. markets into the red. Kansas City Federal Reserve President Esther George tells CNBC that she believes rates will stay higher until at least 2024. In China, mortgage rules are loosened to help boost a flagging property sector and authorities are reportedly prepared to ease ‘three red line’ limits on developer borrowing. In tech news, Samsung Electronics expects to see Q4 profit slump by almost 70 per cent on the back of soft demand for smart phones and chips. The collapse of crypto exchange FTX prompts Silvergate Capital to cover $8bn in withdrawals. And Kyiv has rejected an Orthodox Christmas truce offered by Moscow while clinching U.S., German and French deals for armoured vehicles.   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 signals that it will maintain rates at a higher level for longer following the release of December’s FOMC meeting’s minutes. It is expected to slow the pace of hikes while ruling out any cuts this year. U.S. markets are in the green for the first time this year amid a dip in manufacturing activity and a strong employment scenario. China’s service sector contracts for the fourth consecutive month as rising Covid rates hamper consumer demand. The EU urges a coordinated testing regime on Chinese arrivals to the bloc while the WHO accuses Beijing of opacity over its Covid data. E-commerce giant Amazon announces it will cut up to 18,000 jobs as lay-offs increase throughout the tech sector.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apple’s market cap falls below $2tn on the first trading day of the year as shares slump. The iPhone maker’s decline continues into 2023 after a year which saw its valuation drop by $1tn. Tesla misses Q4 delivery estimates, causing shares to slump 12 per cent. CEO Elon Musk now faces an investor backlash over demand and supply chain concerns. Forecasts of warmer winter temperatures push U.S. and European natural gas prices lower, helping to ease inflationary pressures in Germany. In Washington, House Republicans are in disarray after failing to elect Kevin McCarthy as Speaker after three votes – the first majority leader not to receive his party’s backing in a century. And in New York, former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to federal fraud charges. His trial date is set for October.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Global markets start the new year positively after Wall Street posted its worst-performing year since 2008. IUMF Managing director Kristalina Georgieva has warned of a tough 12 months ahead. Chinese manufacturing activity at state firms hovers near a three-year low following the abolition of Covid regulations. President Xi Jinping has told his nation that the next phase in its Covid response would prove to be challenging. In corporate news, Tesla has posted record Q4 production and delivery numbers but misses estimates as supply chain issues and recession concerns continue to weigh. CNBC learns that Sam Bankman-Fried will plead not guilty to fraud charges over the collapse of his FTX cryptocurrency exchange.  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 end 2023 in the green with the S&P500 recording its best day all month and the Nasdaq claws back some of December’s losses. However, Wall Street as a whole is still on track to mark its most torrid year since the Great Financial Crisis. In China stocks are up despite the country suffering a huge Covid exit wave with several nations imposing travel restrictions on Chinese nationals. Oil prices end 2023 on a high after a bumper year for IOCs. Investors are now eyeing China’s reopening and Europe’s energy crunch in the new year. Russia continues to pound Kyiv with missiles following its largest aerial assault since the start of the war. U.S. President Biden has pledged more support for Ukrainian forces in his 2023 spending bill.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Equities around the world continue to pull back at year-end. U.S. markets are set for their worst year since 2008, amid the backdrop of China’s post-Covid reopening. Several Asian nations, the U.S. and Italy re-impose testing demands on Chinese travellers following positive Covid results among 50 per cent of passengers arriving on two flights in Milan. Exxon is taking the EU to court over its windfall tax rules following the increase in levies ordered by Brussels. And in tech news, Apple shares tumble to a one-year low below a key $129 technical level. Investors are now bracing for the tech rout to spread into other sectors.  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 make a tepid return to trade as the China re-opening rally stutters. The S&P500 is now on course for its seventh-worst year ever. As Beijing unwinds its zero-Covid restrictions, the Hang Seng outperforms in Asia. Hong Kong is reportedly set scrap its Covid testing and vaccine mandate rules for international travellers. Russia has vowed to ban oil sales to any country abiding by the West’s $60 barrel price cap. And in auto news, Tesla is forced to pause production at its Shanghai plant causing shares to fall by more than 10 per cent – their worst performance by month, quarter and year to date.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

China scraps its quarantine rules for international travellers as its continues to wind back Covid restrictions, marking its biggest push yet towards reopening its borders since the pandemic. Violent blizzards hit much of the U.S. through the Christmas weekend, with tens of thousands of homes left without power and scores of flights grounded. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Kyiv would be open to a UN-backed peace summit aimed at ending Russia's invasion, but stresses he wants to see Moscow pay for its actions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

U.S. equities see the sell-off resume, killing off hope of a Santa Clause rally with tech stocks leading the losses. Billionaire investor David Tepper tells CNBC he is bearish on stocks. Tesla shares are down almost 9 per cent on demand concerns but manages to claw back some losses in extended trade. CEO Elon Musk will now not sell off any more shares until 2025. Border Force staff in the UK go on strike sparking travel chaos while in the U.S. thousands of flights are grounded by a ‘bomb cyclone’ winter storm. Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried is released on a $250m bail and ordered to remain under house arrest as he awaits trial for federal fraud charges.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wall Street enjoys a second consecutive day in the green, boosted by better-than-expected data and strong earnings from Nike and FedEx. Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy addresses the U.S. Congress during his first trip abroad since the Russian invasion, saying that next year will be a turning point in the conflict against Russia. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has been extradited to the U.S. as two of his top executives plead guilty to federal fraud charges in New York. In tech news, U.S. chip maker Micron’s share slump after it suspends bonuses and announces it is slashing its workforce by 10 per cent following a first-quarter loss.  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 break a four-day losing streak but indices are still set to post their worst year since 2008. The BoJ’s yield curve tweak pushes the yen to its strongest in more than 4 months. Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy has announced his first foreign trip since the start of the conflict. He is due to meet President Joe Biden and address the U.S. Congress later today. U.S. sportswear giant Nike sees shares soar by 12 per cent in extended trade after beating expectations and raising its guidance. Elon Musk is reportedly searching for someone “foolish enough” to take over from him as Twitter CEO following the result of his own online poll.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a surprise move the BoJ loosens its yield curve control band causing the yen to pop and the Nikkei to sell off in what is seen to be a hint that the central bank is tightening monetary policy. In the U.S. hopes of a Santa rally fade as Wall Street posts its fourth consecutive session in the red as recession concerns show no signs of abating. Meta shares slump following an EU ruling which show the tech giant had breached anti-trust rules. It may now be fined up to $12bn. And in energy news, EU countries have agreed a gas cap compromise that would come into effect from February. However, Hungary has already voiced its opposition to the ‘dangerous’ measure saying it would leave European energy supplies vulnerable.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wall Street is in the red and Asian markets follow suit after a week of hawkish messaging from the world’s largest central banks. We hear from BNP Paribas chairman Jean Lemierre who says that rate hikes are the price to pay need to rein in inflation. New Twitter owner Elon Musk surveys users whether he should step down as CEO of the social media platform. Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried reverses his decision to fight U.S. extradition efforts where he faces allegations of wire fraud and money laundering.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.