Squawk Box Europe Express

European markets see meagre trading volumes this Christmas Eve but the Stoxx 600 is due to record its best annual trading performance since 2021. The U.S. GDP data comes in far hotter than expected, prompting investors to dial down expectations of a Fed rate cut while the S&P 500 sees yet another record session. BP shares surge after the British oil giant sells off its majority stake in its Castrol lubricants unit to U.S. infrastructure firm Stonepeak for $6bn. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Stoxx 600 reaches a new intra-day high with investors now anticipating the U.S. GDP print later today. Drug giant Novo Nordisk sees its shares soar as it seeks to gain U.S. approval for the pill-form version of its weight-loss drug Wegovy. President Trump has reiterated previous calls for acquiring Greenland from Denmark for national security reasons as he appoints a new envoy to the Arctic territory. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

European markets move lower but the Stoxx 600 is on track to notch its best year since 2021. Oil prices rise and gold hits a new record high as the U.S. navy pursues a suspected third ‘dark fleet’ tanker near the Venezuelan coast. In Miami, U.S. officials hail ‘productive’ peace talks between Russia and Ukraine but negotiations show no signs of breaking the impasse.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The BoJ hikes interest rates to levels not seen for 30 years, causing yields to spike to multi-decade highs. Governor Kazuo Ueda says the central bank will continue to tighten should the economy move in line with forecasts. After a 16-hour summit, European Union leaders have agreed on a €90bn loan to Ukraine after failing in negotiations to unfreeze Russian assets. Nike scores a top and bottom line beat but the results are marred by poor sales in China, dragging the sports apparel giant’s shares down.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BP ousts its CEO Murray Auchincloss overnight following investor frustration with net zero strategy and share under-performance. He is replaced by Woodside Petroleum’s Meg O’Neill who becomes the oil major’s fourth boss in six years. EU leaders gather in Brussels at a crucial summit to decide funding for Ukraine. And European investors await ‘Super Thursday’ with central banks’ rates decisions expected from the ECB, Riksbank, Norgesbank and BoE later today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.