Squawk Box Europe Express

Struggling tech stocks surge on the Nasdaq, helping the index to its best yearly start since 2001. The S&P 500 also enjoys its best January in four years. The private Caixin survey shows Chinese factory activity shrinking for a sixth consecutive month, which contrasts more optimistic government figures. Snap shares are in the red in extended trade as falling digital advertising spend weighs. Meta shares are also down ahead of its Q4 earnings due out later today. Paris sees huge demonstrations against President Macron’s pension reforms as a number of countries brace for industrial action on Wednesday. The UK will see its biggest mass walkout in 12 years.  

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Markets in Asia follow Wall Street downwards as cautious investors brace for a slew of tech earnings and central bank moves later this week. Swiss lender UBS posts a 23 per cent surge in Q4 net profit, beating bottom-line expectations. China’s economy swings back to growth as disruption fears following the country’s emergence from strict Covid restrictions fade. The IMF hikes its global economic outlook for the first time in a year with the UK lagging behind among developed economies. Speaking to CNBC, the IMF’s chief economist, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas urges vigilance. And we are live at the annual Baker Hughes meeting in Florence. The company has announced a new exploration partnership with Fortescue Future Industries.  

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As the week-long Chinese Lunar New Year holiday ends and trade restarts, the CSI 300 index nears bull market territory. Renault and Nissan are set to announce the details of their restructured tie-up. Renault is to slash its stake in the Japanese car maker down to 15 per cent. Oil is up on optimism following the end of the Chinese New Year. BP, however, is bearish on the demand outlook and has pared back its long-term guidance. American, Dutch and Japanese authorities are moving closer to a deal which would restrict China’s ability to buy advanced chip technology.

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U.S. markets are up following a slew of economic data and Q4 earnings. Tesla helps bump the Nasdaq up by almost 2 per cent. The American economy grows more than expected in the final quarter of 2022 with hopes that the Federal Reserve can attain a ‘soft landing’. President Biden hails the numbers, saying it proves his economic plan is having a positive effect. Russia launches attacks on several Ukrainian cities following Kyiv’s securing of heavy tank deliveries from Western allies. Luxury giant LVMH posts record FY profits for the second year running, welcoming the return of Chinese high-end shoppers.  

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Tesla posts a Q4 earnings and revenue beat on both the top and bottom lines, causing the stock price to surge. CEO Elon Musk says price cuts for Tesla cars have boosted demand. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng moves almost 2 per cent as it kicks off the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit. In Japan, the Nikkei is down as BoJ minutes reveal division about the country’s inflation. The U.S. and Germany sign off on delivery of Abrams and Leopard tanks to Ukraine with Presidents Biden and Zelenskyy both hailing the moves as crucial in countering Russian aggression. And investors are bracing for U.S. GDP figures out later today as forecasts put Q4 growth at 2.4 per cent.

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Microsoft stutters in extended trade after it posted the slowest quarterly revenue growth since 2016. The NYSE suffers a technical glitch which stops trade in 251 stocks. Several trades will now be cancelled. Markets closed mixed but the Dow posted its third consecutive session in the green. Tesla CEO Elon Musk tells a California jury he was not bound by any commitments in 2018 when he tweeted he had secured the funds to take the EV maker private. Returning South Korean stocks help push Asian markets to a seven-month high but Australia equities disappoint with inflation hitting a 33-year high. And following months of discussions, the U.S. and Germany are reportedly set to deliver Abrams and Leopard tanks to Ukrainian forces.   

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U.S. equities rally lead by tech stocks as the market anticipates a 100 per cent chance of the Federal Reserve paring back next week’s rate hike to 25bps. Audio streaming giant Spotify is to announce job cuts of up to 6 per cent as Google boss Sundar Pichai says he had to act decisively in the face of faltering growth. Qatar’s investment arm has upped its share of Credit Suisse as the lender turns to the Middle East to help fund its restructuring strategy. There are growing calls from Kyiv and various EU capitals for Germany to green-light its Leopard tank deliveries. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is to hold talks with new German defence minister Boris Pistorius today.

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The IMF hints it may upgrade the global growth outlook for the year as the economic forecast shows early signs of brightening. Speaking during a CNBC panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, managing director Kristalina Georgieva warned that rising rates could still hamper an upturn. The dollar falls on expectations of less aggressive Fed rate increases while the euro hits a nine-month high after ECB President Christine Lagarde tells CNBC there are more 50bps hikes to come. Tech stocks are in focus ahead of earnings this week after the Nasdaq posts its third consecutive week of gains. In China, a major Covid exit wave looks unlikely as up to 80 per cent of the population has already been infected, according to top scientists. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Paris and vow closer EU ties in the face of greater economic competition from the U.S. and geo-political threats from Moscow.

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Japanese inflation hits a 41-year high of 4 per cent last month, which is twice the BoJ’s target as the central bank sticks with its ultra-loose policy. We hear from Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte who says he does not believe the U.S. IRA was intended to hurt EU economies but the move has impacted businesses within the bloc. U.S. markets are in the red for the week as jitters over the Federal Reserve’s rate path dampens sentiment. Activist Greta Thunberg slams WEF policy makers for not prioritising climate concerns. And in crypto news, lender Genesis officially files for bankruptcy, holding liabilities of $11bn.

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There are renewed U.S. recession fears following weaker-than-expected retail and PPI data. Wall Street plunges into the red while the 10-year Treasury yield hits its lowest level since September. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, however, tells CNBC he believes sentiment is softening and is hopeful of a softer landing both Stateside and in Europe. Several Fed officials, including James Bullard and Loretta Mester say the U.S. policy rate should top 5 per cent during a new round of hawkish commentary. We speak to new Credit Suisse CEO Ulrich Koerner who says the bank’s business restructuring strategy is progressing smoothly as the lender scrambles to retain its top staff. And in crypto news, lender Genesis is set to file for bankruptcy while U.S. officials detain the founder of the Bitzlato exchange for allegedly handling more than $700m in illicit funds.   

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