Squawk Box Europe Express

Risk-on appetite continues despite another record increase in global Coronavirus infections. U.S. case numbers alone rise to 3.3mn. The White House announces it will levy 25 per cent tariffs on French cosmetics and accessories if it fails to back down on its digital tax plan, but gives Paris 180 days to change its stance. In energy news, oil prices are under pressure on news that Opec+ could reverse their agreed record output cuts following an improvement in demand. And U.S. automaker Tesla decides to slash the cost of its recently released Model Y by $3,000 – this, despite the SUV earning the company its first profit in 17 years.  

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Wall street divergence... The Nasdaq hits another record high as investors continue to bet on big tech stocks. The Dow and the S&P 500, however, slip into the red following a volatile session. The U.S. government sanctions top-ranking Chinese officials over allegations of human rights abuses against Uighur Muslims sending Chinese stocks lower, while Chinese banks brace for more restrictions from Washington following the introduction of Beijing’s controversial security law on Hong Kong. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tells CNBC that the White House and Congress are working to pass a new COVID-19 relief package by the end of this month, but warns it will not be as far reaching as earlier bills. And elections make headlines in Europe and Asia, with Singapore holding its general election amid a looming recession in the city- state while the Eurogroup chooses a new president to replace Mario Centeno.

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Back into the green … the Nasdaq leads U.S. indices with a new record close as Apple hits an all-time high along with other big tech sector gains. In Europe, SAP enjoys a cloud boost as software licensing falls by 18 per cent and the German tech giant also confirms its full-year guidance. Airbus deliveries recover in May but H1 sales still hit a 16-year low - this amid a stand-off with unions over huge cost-cutting measures at the French aerospace company. And Brussels has reportedly struck a deal with Swiss and German drug makers Roche and Merck to supply EU member states with Covid-19 treatment medicines.  

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U.S. markets see recent gains pared back as the tech rally begins to lose steam but gold holds at its highest level for 8 years. Investors turn risk-off after confirmed Covid-19 cases Stateside top 3 million. The WHO is set to update its guidance after evidence emerges that the Coronavirus could be airborne after all. In corporate news, logistics giant Deutsche Post DHL beats forecasts to deliver a 16 per cent jump in Q2 operating profit. And German lender Deutsche Bank is issued a $150m fine by the New York state department for financial services for its ties to Jeffrey Epstein. CEO Christian Sewing tells CNBC it was “a critical mistake” to take on the late convicted paedophile’s account.

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U.S. Covid-19 cases spike by 250,000 in five days but markets are undeterred, closing firmly in the green. White House health advisor Dr Anthony Fauci says there are increased numbers of young people affected by the virus and that immunity may be finite. Chinese markets also see five days of big gains but a U.S. government official says President Trump is preparing several executive orders which could hit Chinese manufacturing, immigration and jobs to “reset the balance” with the country. In France, President Macron completes a government re-shuffle in a bid to shore up the post-pandemic recovery as well as his 2022 re-election prospects. And in tech news, Samsung shares are down despite a 23 per cent jump in operating profit in the second quarter. Chip demand had reportedly offset weak demand for smartphones and televisions during the virus outbreak.  

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Chinese stocks rally to four-month highs with the CSI 300 marking its best day since February 2019 as investors bet on a re-opening boom following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the WHO reports a record rise in infections, with the U.S. Sun Belt spiking and Spain re-imposing lockdowns in Catalonia and Galicia. In Germany, Commerzbank’s CEO and chairman both resign following a dispute with activist investors and unions. CNBC learns that an internal replacement is being considered. And in M&A news, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway makes its first move since the onset of the pandemic – a $10bn bet on natural gas and storage assets at Dominion Energy.

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Record highs…the U.S. sees a daily spike of more than 50,000 Coronavirus infections but President Trump says the June non-farm payroll numbers of 4.8 million new jobs proves the economy is “roaring back”. The Chinese services sector has expanded at its fastest rate in more than a decade as lockdown measures are eased across the country and consumer demand continues to inch upwards. In Germany, Deutsche Bank is coordinating with regulators to potentially bail out insolvent payment company Wirecard, with the aim of shoring up its banking unit. The search for a Covid-19 vaccine hits a snag on both sides of the Atlantic. French drug maker Sanofi says its arthritis medicine has failed against the virus while in the U.S., Moderna shares plunge after its trials are postponed.  

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Re-opening reversal. Some of the largest U.S. states are forced to review their lockdown easing measures, with Apple shutting more stores and McDonald’s postponing in-house dining, as cases spike by around 50,000 in one day. June private payrolls in the U.S. rise less than expected, with layoffs jumping more than 300 per cent for 2020, ahead of the non-farm payrolls data. However, both U.S. and Asian markets are up on hopes of a vaccine breakthrough following cautiously positive human trials by Pfizer and Biontech. In Europe, police in Germany and Austria raid Wirecard offices for alleged fraud with investigations potentially embroiling more senior executives.  

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The US records more than 47,000 Coronavirus cases, hitting a new daily record, as White House advisor Dr Anthony Fauci warns infections could reach more 'disturbing' levels. It’s a mixed start to the second half in Asian markets after closing out a bull-run in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin promises to extend up to $140bn in crisis loans for the hardest-hit industries. In corporate news, FedEx delivers a bottom-line beat, sending shares sharply higher after-hours despite a 50 per cent drop in profit. The US shipping group says it will not provide an earnings forecast. And in aviation news, Airbus has announced that 15,000 jobs could be cut in the wake of the pandemic but unions are threatening a showdown with the French aerospace company.

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Stocks look set to close the month firmly in the green, with the Dow Jones on pace to post its best quarter in more than two decades, while the Nasdaq sees its strongest quarter since 2001. Asian markets build on Wall Street’s gains on the back of encouraging PMI data out of China, which sees factory activity expand in June and improving trends in export orders. China passes the Hong Kong security bill in a move that has drawn international condemnation for imposing influence on the territory, but CEO Carrie Lam says "sanctioning doesn't scare us". Most of America's largest banks complete the stress tests with their dividend plans intact but Wells Fargo doesn't fare so well, saying it will have to cut its payouts.

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