Squawk Box Europe Express

There’s some relief in the global government bonds market thanks to U.S. Treasury pledges to double buybacks for longer term bills. President Trump resumes criticism of the Federal Reserve for high interest rates amid rising debt burdens. Trump also escalates the economic pressure on Iran, threatening any third-party country doing business with the Islamic Republic and preparing to significantly increase sanctions on the country. ECB President Christine Lagarde says U.S. moves away from the global economic order are having a negative impact on eurozone growth. She urged policy makers not repeat the mistakes of the dotcom boom in today’s A.I. era.
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The global rout in bonds eases somewhat but yields on sovereign debt remain at highs not seen for decades. Investors now turn their attention to UK inflation data and last month’s FOMC minutes. Equities also sell off Stateside and in Asia, especially in chip stocks, while European futures are firmly in the red. Chinese humanoid developer Unitree sees its shares balloon by more than 600 per cent on its Shanghai market debut as China showcases its ambitions for its national robotics industry.
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President Trump threatens to bomb ally Oman should it impede efforts to re-open the Strait of Hormuz following yesterday’s expiration of the MOU with Tehran with no immediate signs of diplomatic efforts from both sides. Brent moves to beyond $90 a barrel as a result while equities and bonds suffer losses. The U.S. 30-year T-bill surges to its highest level since 2007. The ECB has warned U.S. Big Tech stocks are due a correction and the euro zone’s households, insurers and pension funds are all vulnerable to any potential pull-back.
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European futures are set to start in the green after snapping a four-week winning streak. Investors are anticipating UK employment and inflation data, flash PMIs and the latest FOMC meeting minutes later this week. The U.S.-Iran MOU expires later today with the impasse forcing President Trump to concede Americans will have to contend with higher fuel prices. Heatwaves cause wildfires in Belgium while the level of the Rhine in Germany falls to a new record low. Berkshire Hathaway increases its stake in Alphabet. The tech giant is now its third-largest holding. Form 13F filings in the U.S. reveal a big tech ‘tug-of-war’ among institutional investors.
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U.S. inflation concerns ease with producer prices coming in unchanged for July, cutting the odds for a September Fed hike. South Korea’s KOSPI surges further following last month’s sell-off. European futures are in the green following an otherwise lacklustre week but the continent is poised for one of its strongest earnings seasons in years. The U.S. 30-year T-bill auction racks up the highest borrowing costs in 25 years – up at 5.2 per cent – as investors examine Washington’s spiraling debt pile.
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