Zero Hedge

A Quarter Of Americans Now Believe Political Violence Is Justified

A Quarter Of Americans Now Believe Political Violence Is Justified

Authored by Jonathan Turley,

We have seen a rise in both rage rhetoric and political violence. New polling shows a shocking level of support for political violence, even after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. A new poll shows roughly a quarter of voters believe political violence is justified with the highest percentage among younger voters.

The poll shows that 55 percent of Americans expect political violence to increase with the highest percentage among Harris voters at 61 percent.

Younger Americans are the most supportive of political violence. The poll shows that one in three Americans under 45 years old believes that political violence is justified.

This tracks with other polling that shows that roughly thirty percent of both Democrats and Republicans felt that political violence might be necessary.

The rise in support for political violence comes at a time when politicians are increasingly engaging in violent or rage rhetoric.

DNC Chair Ken Martin just told MSNBC’s “The Beat” that “we may be nearing” the moment when “elections don’t matter and then the resistance looks completely different.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on people to “forcefully rise up.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who pictures himself brandishing a baseball bat has previously called upon people to “fight in the streets.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom previously declared, “I’m going to punch these sons of bitches in the mouth.”

Virginia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger  called upon her supporters to “Let your rage fuel you.”

She then refused to withdraw her support for the Democratic candidate for Attorney General, Jay Jones, who once expressed his desire to kill his political opponents and his children.

In his podcast with co-host Al Hunt, James Carville was again spewing unhinged hate. He returned to treating Trump and others as Nazis and their supporters as “collaborators.” I previously criticized Carville for that analogy. He later attacked me.

Doubling down, Carville declared

“You know what we do with collaborators? I think these corporations, my fantasy dream is that this nightmare ends in 2029 and I think we ought to have radical things. I think they all ought to have their heads shaven, they should be put in orange pajamas and they should be marched down Pennsylvania Avenue and the public should be invited to spit on them.”

To be sure that his menacing words were not lost, he then added “The universities, the corporations, the law firms, all of these collaborators should be shaved, pajamaed and spit on.”

There was no later pushback by his co-host, Hunt, or anyone else associated with the podcast.

Notably, going into today’s election, Jay Jones was still leading in the polls despite saying that he wanted to kill political opponents and their children. Democratic voters were clearly not deterred by such rage rhetoric.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 17:00

"Charles Schwab Will Now Vote For Musk's CEO Performance Award," Says Tesla Investor

"Charles Schwab Will Now Vote For Musk's CEO Performance Award," Says Tesla Investor

Update (1633ET):

Tesla investors unleashed what appears to be a successful pressure campaign against Charles Schwab on Tuesday. The day began with furious shareholders threatening a mass exodus from the brokerage, as social media posts about withdrawing funds raked in millions of views. The uproar centered around Schwab's plan to vote "No" on Elon Musk's multibillion-dollar Tesla pay package, and by late afternoon trading, according to at least one investor, the firm quietly reversed course. 

Tesla investor Sawyer Merritt wrote on X: 

I have just confirmed that @CharlesSchwab will be voting FOR Elon Musk's 2025 CEO Performance Award plan. Schwab voted NO in both the 2018 and 2024 pay package votes. Schwab: "Schwab asset management intends to vote in favor of the 2025 CEO Performance award proposal. We firmly believe that supporting this proposal aligns with management and shareholder interest."

Meritt noted:

Yes. I just got off the phone with multiple people at Schwab. They read me the full internal memo that corporate just put together. Any Schwab client can now call their advisor or representative and confirm my news above.

Another Tesla investor, Jason DeBolt, who was instrumental in the pressure campaign against Schwab, also confirmed that the brokerage has changed its mind.

Where is corporate media's reporting? 

Musk chimed in earlier.

And will Tesla investors now focus their efforts on State Street? 

*   *   * 

Tesla shareholders will vote Thursday on whether to approve Elon Musk's $1 trillion pay package, a 10-year performance plan tied to several milestones. Norway's $2.1 trillion sovereign wealth fund will vote "No" on the proposal. The package would only unlock if Musk lifts Tesla's market value from $1.4 trillion to $8.5 trillion, which hinges on the deployment of humanoid robots, autonomous vehicles, AI, and other advanced technologies expected to dominate the 2030s.

Our focus shifts to X, where Tesla investors who are Charles Schwab customers are staging a revolt against the brokerage house that is reportedly planning to vote "No."  

A viral post, viewed more than 3 million times, by Tesla investor "Jason DeBolt" warned Schwab:

Here's why this is urgent: At least 6 of your ETF funds (around 7 million $TSLA shares) voted against Tesla's board, and my 240,000+ Tesla investor followers are asking why Schwab would oppose one of the most successful corporate boards in history. Many of my followers are Schwab clients holding more shares than me (45,000 or more).

As a custodian of ETF shares, your fiduciary duty is to vote in shareholders' best interests. For a board that has delivered extraordinary returns, voting against their recommendations doesn't align with retail investors, Tesla employees, or the leadership we invested to support.

If Schwab's proxy voting policies don't reflect shareholder interests, my followers and I will move our collective tens of millions in $TSLA shares (or possibly hundreds of millions) to a broker that does, via account transfer as soon as this week. I'm not making empty threats - I am ready to move my shares now. The Tesla investor community is engaged and ready to act as well. 

"I can't in good conscience stay with a brokerage that votes against this CEO Performance Award plan that is in my view clearly in shareholders' best interests. I join @jasondebolt in saying that voting against the recommendations of a board that has delivered extraordinary returns is out of step with retail investors, Tesla employees, and the leadership we invested in to support," Tesla investor Sawyer Merritt wrote on X. The post was hearted by Musk.

Retail investors rage at Schwab: 

FAFO Charles Schwab. 

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 16:33

One Little 'K'... And The End Of America

One Little 'K'... And The End Of America

Authored by Adam Sharp via DailyReckoning.com,

A disturbing chart is making waves in the financial world.

It’s a long-term view of job openings (blue) vs the S&P 500 (black). The dotted line shows when ChatGPT launched in November of 2022.

Take a look:

Digesting this chart gives me heartburn.

As you can see, historically job openings and the stock market have moved in parallel.

When the economy was good, both metrics moved up. When it was bad, they fell.

But in November of 2022, this relationship snapped like a twig. That’s when OpenAI released its groundbreaking ChatGPT app.

Ever since, job openings have plummeted while the S&P 500 soared to new highs.

AI has simultaneously caused a stock bubble and cratered job openings.

AI stocks have levitated the market with their gains, while the same technology is ripping apart the job market.

Entry-level positions are especially vulnerable to AI, but it’s disrupting the entire white collar job market.

This is our new K-shaped economy.

The Godfather of AI’s Latest Warning

The top 4 American AI spenders alone (Google, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft) plan to spend $420 billion on infrastructure in the next year. That’s mostly GPUs, data centers, and power generation.

Nearly half a trillion dollars, from just the top 4 U.S. companies… That’s up from $360 billion this year. Globally, AI spending over the next year will surely surpass $1.5 trillion.

The “Godfather of AI”, Geoffrey Hinton, says this level of spending can only be justified by replacing humans:

“I think the big companies are betting on it causing massive job replacement by AI, because that’s where the big money is going to be.

… I believe that to make money you’re going to have to replace human labor.”

It does seem like the only logical explanation.

Of course, there’s a chance that Big Tech is overspending, and AI will fail to replace a large number of workers. Let’s all hope for that outcome.

But we must prepare for the outcome where AI wins. This technology is only a few years old and already more competent than the average person at many tasks.

The tech has steadily improved, and with so much at stake, further breakthroughs are inevitable.

Just an Adjustment Period?

Some will argue that this is simply an adjustment period. That eventually the market will work its magic and adapt to the new reality, finding new opportunities for those displaced by AI.

A common rebuttal to the AI disruption theory is that tractors displaced farmers, and it all turned out fine because those farmers went to work in factories and other jobs created by the economic shift.

But when tractors revolutionized farming, it was anything but a smooth transition. In 1910 there were perhaps 1,000 tractors in the world. By 1930 there were 900,000.

The farm work that previously took dozens of men suddenly took 2. Most farm workers had to find new lines of work. If they were lucky, they got a job at a factory. But this involved moving to a new area, and all the expenses and difficulties associated with it.

So while from our modern view, the transition from manual farm labor to automated seems simple, in reality it was a long difficult transformation of the world’s workforce.

3 Years In

We are only 3 years into the AI disruption. And compared to previous technological breakthroughs, like the tractor, this one is happening much quicker.

The chart below shows results of a Wharton study on AI adoption among corporate executives. Today 46% of execs report using AI daily. That’s up from 11% in 2023 and 29% in 2024.

Source: Olivia Moore

As you can see, fully 68% of IT workers are using AI on a daily basis, up from 21% in 2023. And 39% of legal workers are now using AI every day, up from just 9% last year.

The next big step in AI is “agents” – autonomous AI workers capable of taking a task from start to finish with little oversight.

AI agents are not quite at the stage where they can outright replace human workers. But they can already augment productivity, and allow one person to do the work of two or three.

Make no mistake. Widespread disruption is coming. Those who utilize AI well will become super productive. Those who don’t risk falling behind, or even being laid off.

Eventually, I’m sure the economy will adjust to this new reality and find productive ways for all workers to contribute. But we don’t know how long that’s going to take.

Every great technological leap begins with a breakthrough.

The loom, steam engine, tractor, and computer. Each improved the world in time, but came with a difficult adjustment period.

AI could end up being the most disruptive of all. An unprecedented reallocation of the world’s workforce, compressed into a single decade.

So for a while, the white collar world is going to see serious disruption. For many young people today, a blue collar path may be a better choice. The era of “everyone should go to college and get a desk job” is ending.

My 16-year old wants to enter the trades, maybe even start his own operation, which I fully support. It’s going to be a while before robots can handle most blue collar work.

And in the long run, this shift will probably be a good thing for the world. We need to get back to building and producing things. More welders, and less email jobs.

Yes, it’s going to be painful. But eventually we’ll end up at a place where algorithms are handling the bulk of busywork, and humans are doing creative and productive real-world tasks.

In time, it will work itself out. But for a while, it’s going to seem like the end of the world as we know it.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 16:20

"I Hope You Die": Montana Race Rattled By Latest Example Of Rage Rhetoric

"I Hope You Die": Montana Race Rattled By Latest Example Of Rage Rhetoric

Authored by Jonathan Turley,

This week, I ran a column on how many on the left have discovered the joy and release of unmitigated hate speech. Democratic Helena City Commissioner candidate Haley McKnight is under fire for messages left on the phone of freshman Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., in which she hopes for him to get cancer and die. It comes on the day that voters are going to the polls in Virginia, where the Democratic candidate for Attorney General, Jay Jones, admitted that he previously expressed a desire to kill a political opponent and his children.

As a measure of the appeal of rage rhetoric, Jones remains the leading candidate in the race, with most Democrats planning to vote for him.

In her voicemail, McKnight states:

“Hi, this is Haley McKnight. I’m a constituent in Helena, Montana. I just wanted to let you know that you are the most insufferable kind of coward and thief. You just stripped away healthcare for 17 million Americans, and I hope you’re really proud of that. I hope that one day you get pancreatic cancer, and it spreads throughout your body so fast that they can’t even treat you for it.”

She then left a litany of insults about Sheehy’s fertility and his children, before warning the senator not to “meet me on the streets.” She then added:

I hope you die in the street like a dog. One day, you’re going to live to regret this. I hope that your children never forgive you. I hope that you are infertile. I hope that you manage to never get a boner ever again. You are the worst piece of s— I have ever, ever, ever had the misfortune of looking at … God forbid that you ever meet me on the streets because I will make you regret it. F— you. I hope you die…All that you have done since you have gotten into power is do s— for yourself.

McKnight moved to Montana from North Carolina and owned Sage & Oats Trading Post, which she describes as “a successful Native American-owned gift store” on her campaign website.

What was striking about this story was McKnight’s response. She explained how her rage was righteous and blamed conservatives for making public a voicemail with threats left at the office of a U.S. senator.

In an interview about the controversy, she insisted, “I was responding to some horrible policy with some justified rage.”

McKnight blamed Sheehy for not calling her back after her hateful messages to chat:

I would hope that if Sheehy was so rattled by my voicemail, he would have contacted me instead of leaking my information to conservative news media the night before an election. It feels like a cheap shot. I’m one of his constituents, and you know, this message is nothing that I’d say to my grandmother or in front of any children, it was meant for Senator Sheehy alone.”

There is, of course, another lesson that many of us strive to leave for our children: you should speak with respect and civility in others in both private and public settings. Indeed, you should not talk to others in ways that you would be embarrassed to do in front of children. It is not the consequences that dictate how we act or speak.

Instead, McKnight insists that such threats and insults are justified when you disagree with others. She is clearly not alone. As shown in Virginia, many voters will still vote for such candidates. Indeed, many may be drawn to such candidates by such rhetoric.

Ironically, her campaign site quotes her saying, “I have worked hard to combat the loneliness epidemic in our community.”

Raving at others about wishing them cancer and celebrating their death may not be the best approach for building relationships for the chronically lonely.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 15:40

DOE And NRC Sign Addendum To Fast Track Commercial Reactor Licensing

DOE And NRC Sign Addendum To Fast Track Commercial Reactor Licensing

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently signed Addendum No. 9 to their 2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), paving the way for faster follow-on licensing of advanced nuclear reactors and nuclear fuel technologies.

This agreement, signed Oct 24th and effective immediately, comes as major concerns have been raised by reactor development companies and industry observers regarding the double work that may be required of developers when they bring their tested products over to the NRC. Demand for clean, reliable energy by data centers and major industrial companies has created a stronger need for change in the path to reactor design commercialization, with companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon signing long-term offtake agreements with reactor operators Constellation, NextEra, and Talen.

The addition to the MOU comes from the directives out of Trump's executive orders signed back in May of this year. From section 5.d of the executive order “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission”:

Establish an expedited pathway to approve reactor designs that the DOD or the DOE have tested and that have demonstrated the ability to function safely. NRC review of such designs shall focus solely on risks that may arise from new applications permitted by NRC licensure, rather than revisiting risks that have already been addressed in the DOE or DOD processes.”

Surprisingly, the DOE and NRC took the executive order one step further and included a streamlined licensing process for nuclear fuel facilities as well. It becomes less surprising when we remember the current administration has highlighted multiple times the desire to reduce the reliance on foreign nuclear fuel supplies. Even with the Russian uranium import ban, the US is still importing over a fifth of the required enriched uranium from Russia through last year. The US government is looking to expand the domestic capacity of every step in the fuel chain as quickly as possible.

The new addendum will directly impact the companies already announced by the DOE as participants in their pilot reactor and fuel programs:

  • Reactor developers: Aalo Atomics, Antares Nuclear, Atomic Alchemy, Deep Fission, Last Energy, Oklo (two projects), Natura Resources, Radiant Industries, Terrestrial Energy, Valar Atomics
  • Fuel facilities: Standard Nuclear, Oklo, Terrestrial Energy, TRISO-X, Valar Atomics

Additional companies are expected to be announced for both of the programs in the near future, as the DOE still looks to expand the number of participants as an effort to increase the chance of success.

There are multiple companies currently involved that are worth highlighting. Oklo is the most involved company, with three reactor projects — Aurora, Pluto, and Atomic Alchemy — currently receiving high-speed treatment, and three nuclear fuel facilities on the fast track as well. Terrestrial Energy enjoys double involvement with their integrated molten salt reactor design and unique fuel. Valar Atomics has also earned a spot in both programs, alongside industry leadership on the reactor side from Aalo and Radiant, and on the fuel side with Standard Nuclear.

Part IV.C of the addendum discusses the new agreement between the NRC and DOE, with two separate statements for advanced reactor designs and nuclear fuel line facilities:

“NRC establishes an expedited pathway to approve advanced reactor designs [nuclear fuel line facilities] that have been authorized and tested by DOE and have demonstrated the ability to function safely that focuses on risks or safety issues identified during the NRC licensing review that may arise from, among other things, design changes in new applications to be licensed by the NRC, rather than revisiting risks that have already been addressed in the DOE review.”

This removes the previous risk of a company designing a reactor, getting the DOE to approve it, building an operating it for months or years to develop proficiency and improvements, only to have the NRC tear it apart to meet a different set of requirements that results in a loss of the work put in to the reactor up to that point. The NRC will now skip reviews regarding design features that are no different in the commercial product than they are with the design built under the DOE.

There are likely more MOUs to be released in the near future, specifically relating to coordination between the DOW and the NRC for all the same reasons. This will stem from the Army's recently announced Janus Program, which looks to hyper-speed the development of microreactors, such as that recently launched by Nano Nuclear, and drive consolidation and standardization of the nuclear equipment/manufacturing supply chain.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 14:40

US Homeownership Tenure Hits Highest Level In 25 Years

US Homeownership Tenure Hits Highest Level In 25 Years

U.S. homeowners who sold their properties in the third quarter of 2025 had owned them for an average of 8.39 years, the longest tenure in at least 25 years, real estate analytics company ATTOM said in a statement released on Oct. 21.

The longer homeownership tenure reflects “a mix of factors shaping the 2025 housing market,” the company stated.

“Higher mortgage rates may have made homeowners less likely to move, as many remain locked into historically low rates from prior years,” the statement reads.

“Limited inventory and elevated home prices may have also made finding an affordable next home difficult, keeping potential sellers in place longer.”

The state with the longest average homeownership tenure in the third quarter was Massachusetts at 12.91 years.

This was closely followed by Connecticut at 12.66 years, California at 11.2 years, Rhode Island at 11 years, and Washington state at 10.74 years.

Maine had the shortest average homeownership tenure at 4.8 years, followed by Mississippi at 5.71 years, South Dakota at 5.79 years, West Virginia at 6.04 years, and Georgia at 6.11 years.

As Naveen Athrappully reports for The Epoch Times, according to ATTOM, all-cash sales continued to rise in the third quarter, with 38.9 percent of all homes sold nationwide during this period being all-cash deals, up from 37.6 percent in the third quarter of 2024.

“The increase in all‑cash sales suggests a larger share of buyers may be avoiding financing altogether, potentially investors or downsizing homeowners using accumulated equity, which continues to influence both mobility and overall market dynamics,” ATTOM stated.

Homeowners who sold off their properties in the third quarter made a 49.9 percent profit on a typical single-family home or condo, ATTOM said in an Oct. 16 statement.

While this is slightly lower than the 55.4 percent profit seen during the third quarter of 2024, it is still way higher than the roughly 30 percent profit margin home sellers saw before 2020, according to the company.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, home prices have surged, contributing to massive profits for owners willing to sell.

According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the average sale price of homes sold in the United States in the second quarter was $512,800, up from $371,100 five years ago in the second quarter of 2020.

“Profit margins remained steady and high throughout the traditionally busier summer selling season,” ATTOM CEO Rob Barber said.

“While continuously rising prices could have chased away buyers and slackened demand, the recent dip in mortgage rates may be helping to keep more people in the market.”

Even though high home prices are giving large profits to sellers who have held on to their properties since the COVID-19 pandemic, selling has become more difficult.

New listings of homes for sale rose by 4.1 percent year over year for the four weeks ending Oct. 12, the largest increase in four months. This came amid buyers backing off from the market, real estate brokerage Redfin said in an Oct. 16 statement.

High sale prices and financial unease stemming from concerns about the ongoing federal government shutdown and tariffs have made many buyers wary of committing to property purchases, the brokerage stated.

Jo Chavez, a Redfin Premier agent in Kansas City, Missouri, cited elevated mortgage rates as another factor deterring buyers from the market.

“Even though rates have come down from their peak, a lot of people are waiting for sub-6 percent rates before they buy,” Chavez said.

Mortgage Rate Issues

The average weekly rate of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.27 percent for the week ending Oct. 16, according to data from Freddie Mac. Since June, the rates have been mostly in a downward trend.

While the current 6.27 percent rate is lower than the 7.04 percent yearly peak in January, rates are still well above the levels seen during the initial COVID-19 pandemic period. For instance, five years ago, the rate was 2.81 percent.

In an Oct. 16 commentary, Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at real estate data company Bright MLS, suggested that the recent dip in mortgage rates may trigger more competition among buyers, pushing up home prices.

“Looking ahead to the rest of the year, it is difficult to forecast where rates will go, but the likely bet is that they are not going to fall much further,“ she wrote. ”Buyers who think they want to wait for lower rates could find themselves facing higher prices but without an improvement in mortgage rates.

“It is actually possible that mortgage rates could increase in the coming weeks. The Federal Reserve has been rolling mortgage-backed securities off of the central bank’s balance sheet, which could lead to upward pressure on mortgage rates.”

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 14:05

China Warns Trump To Avoid Crossing Four "Red Lines" Or Risk Trade Truce Collapse

China Warns Trump To Avoid Crossing Four "Red Lines" Or Risk Trade Truce Collapse

Ever since the recent "truce" in the trade war between the US and China was signed in Korea one week ago - the latest of many such ceasefires meant to be broken - skeptics have been patiently counting down until this latest ceasefire is torn up, and tensions between the two superpowers flare up once more. 

Overnight China made it likely that they won't have long to count: as Bloomberg reports, Beijing warned the US to avoid four sensitive issues, so-called red lines, so a trade truce sealed between Trump and Xi can hold, highlighting the broad array of disagreements that will test ties. Of course, the one thing that is certain to prompt Trump to cross any and all red lines is knowing he should not do it... which is precisely why China is doing what it is doing. 

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Busan on Oct. 30

Ambassador to the US Xie Feng named i) Taiwan, ii) democracy and human rights, iii) China’s political system, and iv) development rights as Beijing’s four red lines, adding that “the most important thing is to respect each other’s core interests and major concerns.” 

Xie made the remarks in a virtual speech to a US-China Business Council event, according to a statement from the Chinese embassy on Tuesday. He added that “the pressing priority is to follow up on the consensus reached between” Xi, Trump and their officials, “to reassure both our countries and the world economy with concrete actions and outcomes.”

Whether it comes to conflicts over tariffs, industry or technology, Xie warned that “all will lead to nothing but a dead end” not like any of that stopped Trump before, which is also why the countdown until the next "100%+ tariff has officially begun."

The comments, Bloomberg explains to the front of the bus, offer a reminder of the many ways that the one-year truce reached on Thursday in South Korea can come undone. It also shows that while Taiwan’s status didn’t come up in talks between Xi and Trump, it’s still very important to Beijing.

And underscoring just how tenuous the current ceasefire truly is, is the fact that both sides are actively doing everything in their power to sabotage it. As Rabobank's Michael Every writes this morning, "all serious views of the recent ‘US-China deal are this is just a metaphorical ceasefire to (literally) rearm, not any ‘peace’, and it is when not if we get further escalation.

Supporting that view from one side, he writes that the White House just struck a $1.4bn deal with rare-earth magnet startups Vulcan Elements and ReElement Technologies. From the other, besides China introducing new export controls on silver, antimony, and tungsten, Nexperia’s China plant has told local firms that it can meet chip orders despite suspended supply from European fabs previously in the same group.

In short, it's now just a matter of time before we get another raging post on the president's Truth Social account, taking us back to square one. 

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 12:00

Trump Admin Redirects Tariff Revenue To Fund WIC As Shutdown Drags On

Trump Admin Redirects Tariff Revenue To Fund WIC As Shutdown Drags On

Authored by Kimberley Hayek via The Epoch Times,

As the federal government shutdown reaches its 35th day, the Trump administration has transferred $450 million from tariff windfalls to a nutrition program for women, infants, and children.

The funds, taken from a fund for agricultural commodity and disaster aid, were sent to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on Oct. 31, according to White House Office of Management and Budget records.

The money will be used for approximately three weeks of benefits for nearly 7 million pregnant or breastfeeding women, or other Americans with young children who use WIC for food, counseling, and support, according to the National WIC Association.

This latest monetary injection comes on the heels of a comparable move in mid-October, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) tapped the same tariff-derived fund, which has in it more than $23 billion from customs duties as of early October, for $300 million to keep WIC afloat for two more weeks. State agencies are set to receive the funds in the coming days, the association added.

Meanwhile, benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, ran out Nov. 1, the first time in the program’s 60 years, leaving nearly 42 million recipients without transfer payments as neither Congress nor the administration earmarked funds for them ahead of the shutdown, which started on Oct. 1.

The administration revealed Monday that it would use emergency funds in part to pay for November SNAP benefits. Certain states, however, may require weeks or months to fully distribute them.

USDA officials worried that funding SNAP could shortchange WIC and other programs specifically targeting low-income children.

“Creating a shortfall in Child Nutrition Program funds to fund one month of SNAP benefits is an unacceptable risk, even considering the procedural difficulties with delivering a partial November SNAP payment, because shifting $4 billion to America’s SNAP population merely shifts the problem to millions of America’s low income children that receive their meals at school,” Patrick Penn, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services at the USDA, said in the filing.

In early October, the administration invoked Section 232 authority to send $300 million to WIC for temporary nutritional support for at-risk families during the funding standoff. The administration also moved to support farmer aid by reopening USDA offices despite the shutdown.

Judges have sided with the federal government amid agency pushback against the administration’s invoking its authority to deploy the funds. Two federal judges on Oct. 31 ruled that the USDA is required to tap emergency funds to disburse food stamps, dismissing the agency’s claims that it does not have enough resources. The orders noted SNAP is an entitlement program, which means the government is legally required to make payments to eligible households, regardless of whether the government is shut down.

Judges highlighted $6 billion in congressionally appropriated contingency reserves, such as $3 billion earmarked through fiscal 2026, that could be used to cover benefits, negating USDA memos that suggested the funds could not be used amid a government shutdown.

In a complaint filed on Oct. 28, numerous states alleged that the USDA’s reasons for suspending SNAP were misleading, arguing that “they offer no evidence that contingency funds are not available.”

The suit underscored irreparable harm incurred, arguing that states were paying added administrative costs due to the lapse in funding, and food banks were seeing a spike in demand. California, for instance, sent $80 million in state funds for pantries. Colorado sought $10 million and Minnesota earmarked $4 million in emergency aid, according to the filing. The states also argue that the payment lapse violates the Food and Nutrition Act.

“We anticipate the disruptions in SNAP may lead additional families to certify [for] WIC or families to run through their WIC benefits faster, so we will be keeping a really close eye on these resources because we know that WIC can’t fill the gap that SNAP plays for families,” said Nell Menefee-Libey, senior public policy manager at the NWA.

The administration has defended prioritizing WIC and child nutrition over full SNAP funding from tariff revenues, pointing to past shutdown strategies where SNAP continued without interruption.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 11:20

Trump Admin Redirects Tariff Revenue To Fund WIC As Shutdown Drags On

Trump Admin Redirects Tariff Revenue To Fund WIC As Shutdown Drags On

Authored by Kimberley Hayek via The Epoch Times,

As the federal government shutdown reaches its 35th day, the Trump administration has transferred $450 million from tariff windfalls to a nutrition program for women, infants, and children.

The funds, taken from a fund for agricultural commodity and disaster aid, were sent to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on Oct. 31, according to White House Office of Management and Budget records.

The money will be used for approximately three weeks of benefits for nearly 7 million pregnant or breastfeeding women, or other Americans with young children who use WIC for food, counseling, and support, according to the National WIC Association.

This latest monetary injection comes on the heels of a comparable move in mid-October, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) tapped the same tariff-derived fund, which has in it more than $23 billion from customs duties as of early October, for $300 million to keep WIC afloat for two more weeks. State agencies are set to receive the funds in the coming days, the association added.

Meanwhile, benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, ran out Nov. 1, the first time in the program’s 60 years, leaving nearly 42 million recipients without transfer payments as neither Congress nor the administration earmarked funds for them ahead of the shutdown, which started on Oct. 1.

The administration revealed Monday that it would use emergency funds in part to pay for November SNAP benefits. Certain states, however, may require weeks or months to fully distribute them.

USDA officials worried that funding SNAP could shortchange WIC and other programs specifically targeting low-income children.

“Creating a shortfall in Child Nutrition Program funds to fund one month of SNAP benefits is an unacceptable risk, even considering the procedural difficulties with delivering a partial November SNAP payment, because shifting $4 billion to America’s SNAP population merely shifts the problem to millions of America’s low income children that receive their meals at school,” Patrick Penn, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services at the USDA, said in the filing.

In early October, the administration invoked Section 232 authority to send $300 million to WIC for temporary nutritional support for at-risk families during the funding standoff. The administration also moved to support farmer aid by reopening USDA offices despite the shutdown.

Judges have sided with the federal government amid agency pushback against the administration’s invoking its authority to deploy the funds. Two federal judges on Oct. 31 ruled that the USDA is required to tap emergency funds to disburse food stamps, dismissing the agency’s claims that it does not have enough resources. The orders noted SNAP is an entitlement program, which means the government is legally required to make payments to eligible households, regardless of whether the government is shut down.

Judges highlighted $6 billion in congressionally appropriated contingency reserves, such as $3 billion earmarked through fiscal 2026, that could be used to cover benefits, negating USDA memos that suggested the funds could not be used amid a government shutdown.

In a complaint filed on Oct. 28, numerous states alleged that the USDA’s reasons for suspending SNAP were misleading, arguing that “they offer no evidence that contingency funds are not available.”

The suit underscored irreparable harm incurred, arguing that states were paying added administrative costs due to the lapse in funding, and food banks were seeing a spike in demand. California, for instance, sent $80 million in state funds for pantries. Colorado sought $10 million and Minnesota earmarked $4 million in emergency aid, according to the filing. The states also argue that the payment lapse violates the Food and Nutrition Act.

“We anticipate the disruptions in SNAP may lead additional families to certify [for] WIC or families to run through their WIC benefits faster, so we will be keeping a really close eye on these resources because we know that WIC can’t fill the gap that SNAP plays for families,” said Nell Menefee-Libey, senior public policy manager at the NWA.

The administration has defended prioritizing WIC and child nutrition over full SNAP funding from tariff revenues, pointing to past shutdown strategies where SNAP continued without interruption.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 11:20

Voters Head To The Polls In The First Major Elections Of Trump's Second Term

Voters Head To The Polls In The First Major Elections Of Trump's Second Term

It's election day - the first general election of Trump's second term. All eyes will of course be on New York City's mayoral race between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo - with Mamdani vowing to squeeze blood out of rich New Yorkers to fund communist unicorn fart promises, and Cuomo earning the support of President Trump, Elon Musk, and others simply because he's the lesser evil. 

As the Epoch Times notes, New York voters will be voting on a variety of local offices, though one among them—the mayoral election—has attracted outsized international attention. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, since his upset victory in the Democratic Primary on June 24, has been leading the polls.

The latest major network poll by Fox News shows Mamdani with a 16 percentage point lead over Cuomo, who is running as an independent candidate. In that poll, Mamdani garners 47 percent of the vote compared to Cuomo’s 31 percent, while Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa has 15 percent.

The RealClearPolitics polling average favors Mamdani by 14.3 percentage points. Unlike its primary contest, New York City uses the first past-the-post system for general elections, meaning that, should Mamdani perform as polls suggest, he would win the election.

Virginia

Meanwhile, voters in Virginia will decide a gubernatorial race between Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger in a race favoring the Democrat.

Virginians will also elect an attorney general in a race between Republican Jason Miyares and Democrat Jay Jones - with Jones having wished death on Republicans in text messages, which several prominent Democrats defended. 

New Jersey

In New Jersey, voters will decide between Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli.

Ciattarelli was also the party’s nominee in the 2021 election and lost to incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, in a close contest.

Sherrill is ahead of Ciattarelli in the polls, but in recent weeks, the polling gap has significantly narrowed to the point where her lead is either close to or within the margin of error. The average of all major polls aggregated by RealClearPolitics shows Sherrill with a polling lead of 3.3 percentage points.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania voters will cast ballots for their state Supreme Court, where three Democrats facing recalls hope to retain their seats for 10 more years.

California

In California, voters will decide on Proposition 50, a measure which would 'temporarily' (lol) redraw the state’s congressional maps in response to changes made by Texas to its maps.

The referendum is backed by Democrats and seeks to temporarily bypass California’s independent redistricting committee and revise the state’s congressional district boundaries for elections to the U.S. House of Representatives, so as to win the party more seats in the next general elections to the House in 2026.

Due to the state’s heavy Democratic lean, the proposition appears likely to pass, with the “Yes” side garnering 56 percent in favor, according to a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California. It has a 13 percentage point lead over the “No” side of the vote.

Stay tuned for updates... and maybe grab a rare knife.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 11:05

The Lack Of All Econ Data Is Completely Irrelevant As Nobody Has Any Idea Where We Ultimately End Up

The Lack Of All Econ Data Is Completely Irrelevant As Nobody Has Any Idea Where We Ultimately End Up

By Michael Every of Rabobank

Remember when it used to be about PMIs?

According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump officials torpedoed Nvidia’s push to export Blackwell AI chips to China, Secretary of State Rubio, USTR Greer, and Commerce Secretary Lutnick all opposing. On the other hand, the US will allow Microsoft to send Nvidia AI chips to the UAE for the first time as part of a vast ramp-up in data-centre and AI development there. It will find out if the UAE keeps hold of them or sells them on in time, as both the Philippines and the UAE apply to join the CPTPP, which China also wants in to.

The scale and speed of AI --and related energy-- rollouts is staggering. OpenAI just agreed a $38bn deal with Amazon, for example. However, Europe remains almost entirely absent from this process: is that part of a ‘strategic autonomy’? Tellingly, ‘The EU can’t figure out what to do about ChatGPT’, says Politico – and they don’t mean creating one, just regulating the existing version.

This surge in capex is inflationary, as data centers eat up resources and gorge on electricity. Indeed, as US Secretary of the Interior Burgum, speaking in the UAE, stated, “Trillions of dollars are going to end up in the places that have low electricity prices," the US has signed an $80bn nuclear reactor deal, Glencore plans to shut Canada’s largest copper metal operation over (electricity) costs, Australia’s Liberal-National political coalition, in place since 1923, may fracture over the Nats’ rejection of net zero or the Libs could follow, while China may have reached a “fission-based innovation poised to reshape clean, sustainable nuclear power” by ‘breeding’ uranium from thorium.

Yet AI is simultaneously deflationary if it means demand for workers --particularly younger ones already moving to the radical ends of the political spectrum-- collapses. The Financial Times just carried an op-ed arguing for universal basic capital, where every citizen is given a financial stake in AI firms to ensure social stability. (Though if nobody needs to work, how this differs from universal basic income is unclear: and is this a Speenhamland bare minimum or a Judge Dredd higher income which still drives people insane from a lack of useful work?)

The same deflation is true if AI is a bubble. That’s as the WSJ argues ‘The Microchip Era Is About to End’ because “The future is in wafers. Data centres will be the size of a box, not vast energy-hogging structures,” and asks, ‘Is OpenAI Becoming Too Big to Fail?’ because “Sam Altman’s ability to intertwine the startup throughout major tech players puts it at the nexus of a vital part of the US economy.”

Whatever happens next, whether the PMI was 0.1 or 0.2 higher or lower than the consensus guess doesn’t matter much. The good old days when a career in macro strategy could boil down to iterations of that coincident-commentary game is over: AI is already capable of doing it better.

Indeed, the irrelevance of most data is not only underlined by the fact that we don’t have key US releases at the moment --and it doesn’t make any difference to our understanding of where we ultimately end up--  but by developments in geopolitics and geoeconomics.

Trump said he doubts the US will go to war with Venezuela, but he thinks Maduro’s “days are numbered”. Why would that be the case if the US isn’t going to do anything? Meanwhile, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado was on social media underlining how juicy the resources in her country are, and how they will only be properly utilised under what sounds like US leadership. Try factoring that in to your forecasts.

At the same time, there are reports that the US is preparing troops for a ground invasion in Mexico to go after drug cartels: one would assume that this is in coordination with the Mexican government, where a local politician was just murdered by drug gangs.

In geoeconomics, all serious views of the recent ‘US-China deal are this is just a metaphorical ceasefire to (literally) rearm, not any ‘peace’, and it is when not if we get further escalation.

Supporting that view from one side, the White House just struck a $1.4bn deal with rare-earth magnet startups Vulcan Elements and ReElement Technologies. From the other, besides China introducing new export controls on silver, antimony, and tungsten, Nexperia’s China plant has told local firms that it can meet chip orders despite suspended supply from European fabs previously in the same group. Europe is only going to get its own chip supplies again as part of the deal that the US struck last week: the EU’s own statecraft failed to achieve anything. On which front, two pictures of the Trump-Xi meeting in progress have appeared on social media. In one, Trump is holding up a card to Xi, which we can only see the back of; in the second Xi is laughing. As somebody said yesterday, Trump may have written on it: “The EU will use their trade bazooka.”

The EU also thinks it may have been left out of China’s easing of export controls on rare earths. The US press release said last week’s one-year deal was global, but China hasn’t told Europe this is the case yet. If it isn’t then it will be easy to predict what the manufacturing PMI numbers will look like --like they did during Covid-- and no monthly higher/lower or econometrics, just geoeconomics, could have told you that was a possible outcome.

The humiliation gets worse for Europe in that the US is accused of “threatening EU diplomats” during its bid to kill new green shipping rules, in which it succeeded; relatedly, Qatar has reiterated if the EU does not water down its sustainability laws it will cease delivering LNG to the bloc; and left-wing parties in the EU parliament are going to challenge the EU-Mercosur free trade deal.

In EU politics, as Czech billionaire Babiš inches closer to PM, the FT op-eds that ‘The far right can win in Europe but it struggles to govern’ --then again, who doesn’t?-- and  that, “The continent’s political future could be defined by a never-ending struggle between the centre and the radical right.” But what does that mean for the PMI, please?

In US politics, there are new signs that after today’s elections, more on which tomorrow, the government shutdown may finally end, with Congress eyeing a spending bill through January. Of course, that could have an impact on the ISM, but it isn’t economics or econometrics at work.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 10:25

1 Million New Yorkers Say They Will Flee New York City If Mamdani Wins Today's Mayoral Race

1 Million New Yorkers Say They Will Flee New York City If Mamdani Wins Today's Mayoral Race

A new JL Partners poll for the Daily Mail suggests New York City could face a historic population loss if democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani becomes mayor. Nine percent of residents would “definitely” leave—about 765,000 people—while another 25 percent would “consider” going, raising fears of an economic crisis.

Opponents of Mamdani describe a future city as a “disaster,” “hell,” “chaos,” “destroyed,” and “s***hole.” His supporters instead predict it would be “affordable,” “improved,” “hopeful,” and “changed.”

The poll found seven percent of those earning over $250,000 would move away. Since the wealthiest one percent fund roughly half of NYC’s income tax revenue, even a fraction leaving could “crater” the city’s finances.

Pollster James Johnson said the “prospect of Mamdani is so scary to some that they are considering throwing in the Big Apple for new digs.” He noted older New Yorkers, Staten Islanders, and white residents are the most likely to leave.

The Daily Mail writes that some real estate buyers are already backing out. Realtor Jay Batra said, “They don't want to hear about Mamdani and the rent freeze he is proposing.”

Cities like Boca Raton are preparing to attract fleeing residents and businesses. Mayor Scott Singer warned New York is “about to repeat some of the lessons from history that many voters have forgotten or never knew.”

The survey shows Mamdani leading the November 4 race with 45 percent among decided voters. By contrast, only 59 percent of New Yorkers say they would definitely stay if he wins.

Expectations for the city under Mamdani skew negative: forty-seven percent foresee more crime and violence, forty-three percent expect fewer businesses, thirty-nine percent think the terrorism risk will worsen, and forty-five percent predict antisemitism will increase. Housing affordability is his one strong point, with thirty-nine percent believing it will improve.

Mamdani proposes free childcare, rent freezes, public grocery stores, fare-free buses, and higher taxes on top earners and corporations. Critics argue this will prompt a business exodus similar to California’s losses. Former governor Andrew Cuomo says the agenda would “exacerbate the problem… flight from New York City by high-income earners.”

As Singer put it: “People are already preparing to leave before a Mamdani election. There’s less and less reason to stay there.”

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 10:05

High Food Prices Are Taking A Big Bite Out Of Restaurant Chains In 2025

High Food Prices Are Taking A Big Bite Out Of Restaurant Chains In 2025

Rising food chain prices tend to dominate the news cycle these days as an indicator of overall inflation in the US, but less attention is paid to the damage these prices do to the businesses involved.  Revenues losses and location closures for these chains are ugly, to say the least, but what kind of bloodletting are we talking about here?

It should be noted that chain restaurants are a mainstay of the American diet.  Around 35% of Americans eat out at chains at least twice a week, but inflation in menu prices is around double that of grocery food items and staying at home has become a necessity for many US families on a budget.  

From 2019 to 2025, menu prices have increased by 30% to 80% depending on the company and the items.  McDonalds, for example, has seen prices spike by 40% on average since 2019, while sit down restaurants like Waffle House and IHOP are struggling with price jumps as high as 80% in the same time period.  

Popular burrito chain Chipotle has increased prices by 70% in the last five years, and the company has made headlines after their stock crashed 21% in the past week.

Wingstop has been hit hard with shares down 26.1% over the past year and 13.9% in October.   

Shake Shack stock is down 20.4% from a year ago.  

But stock losses are only the beginning.  At least 15 major chains have filed for bankruptcy in 2025.  There has been a 50% surge in restaurant bankruptcies (including independent restaurants) from 2024 to 2025.  Dining establishments account for 12% of all bankruptcies in 2025.  

Some of the biggest revenues losers include from this year include:

KFC with an estimated $250 million in losses.

Chipotle with $150 million in losses.

Popeyes with a $91 million net income drop.

TGI Fridays has $100 million in losses amid ongoing bankruptcy.

Hooters has up to $80 million in sales losses amid Chapter 11 filing.

Denny's with $40 million in losses.

Papa Johns with $30 million in losses.

Subway and Hardees are looking at $10 million to $15 million in losses as well as a widespread location closures.  

A number of chains are closing up locations at a swift pace and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight for the ongoing negative effects of covid era inflation.

Burger King has lost four major operators and is closing around 377 units.

Denny's with 90 locations.

TGI Fridays with 100 locations.

Jack in the Box with 120 locations.

Applebee's with 30 locations.

Hardees is closing 145 locations.

Wendy's is closing 72 locations.

Popeyes is closing up to 30 locations.

Up to 20,000 job losses are expected from restaurant closures in 2025, though these numbers do not account for the number of businesses leaving states like California after they instituted their $20 per hour minimum wage law for fast food workers.  

The persistent inflation pressures in food markets over the last five years is becoming a central point of contention for Americans on both sides of the political aisle.  It's one of the few things that the political left and conservatives agree on as a top priority for government intervention.  No one agrees on the nature of that intervention, however.

Democrats have suggested government subsidized (or owned) grocery stores with price controls.  Such stores have been tried in cities like Kansas City and failed miserably, but candidates like Zohran Mamdani claims that he can make them work in New York (it will be a disaster).  Price controls on food invariably lead to a collapse in food production as farmers and manufacturers lose profit incentives.  This causes food shortages, and even more price inflation.

Conservatives are more inclined to target the source of the problem, namely the Federal Reserve and its fiat printing operations to support government spending.  But some argue that the damage has already been done.  Auditing the Fed or shutting it down at this stage would merely act as a post-mortem on an economic murder that was committed years ago. 

Furthermore, the ongoing government shutdown proves that cutting almost anything from the budget is nearly impossible (even healthcare subsidies for illegals).  Achieving a consensus will be an impossible feat. 

If there is a solution at the federal level, then a subsidized increased in food production would probably be the answer, at least in the short term.  Boosting food supply across the board would help to outweigh demand and cut prices.  This kind of project, though, could take a couple years to organize, not accounting for the Democrat Party's complete refusal to compromise and work with conservatives.  In other words, restaurant profit margins will continue to shrink, prices will continue to skyrocket and closures with climb for the foreseeable future.    

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 09:25

High Food Prices Are Taking A Big Bite Out Of Restaurant Chains In 2025

High Food Prices Are Taking A Big Bite Out Of Restaurant Chains In 2025

Rising food chain prices tend to dominate the news cycle these days as an indicator of overall inflation in the US, but less attention is paid to the damage these prices do to the businesses involved.  Revenues losses and location closures for these chains are ugly, to say the least, but what kind of bloodletting are we talking about here?

It should be noted that chain restaurants are a mainstay of the American diet.  Around 35% of Americans eat out at chains at least twice a week, but inflation in menu prices is around double that of grocery food items and staying at home has become a necessity for many US families on a budget.  

From 2019 to 2025, menu prices have increased by 30% to 80% depending on the company and the items.  McDonalds, for example, has seen prices spike by 40% on average since 2019, while sit down restaurants like Waffle House and IHOP are struggling with price jumps as high as 80% in the same time period.  

Popular burrito chain Chipotle has increased prices by 70% in the last five years, and the company has made headlines after their stock crashed 21% in the past week.

Wingstop has been hit hard with shares down 26.1% over the past year and 13.9% in October.   

Shake Shack stock is down 20.4% from a year ago.  

But stock losses are only the beginning.  At least 15 major chains have filed for bankruptcy in 2025.  There has been a 50% surge in restaurant bankruptcies (including independent restaurants) from 2024 to 2025.  Dining establishments account for 12% of all bankruptcies in 2025.  

Some of the biggest revenues losers include from this year include:

KFC with an estimated $250 million in losses.

Chipotle with $150 million in losses.

Popeyes with a $91 million net income drop.

TGI Fridays has $100 million in losses amid ongoing bankruptcy.

Hooters has up to $80 million in sales losses amid Chapter 11 filing.

Denny's with $40 million in losses.

Papa Johns with $30 million in losses.

Subway and Hardees are looking at $10 million to $15 million in losses as well as a widespread location closures.  

A number of chains are closing up locations at a swift pace and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight for the ongoing negative effects of covid era inflation.

Burger King has lost four major operators and is closing around 377 units.

Denny's with 90 locations.

TGI Fridays with 100 locations.

Jack in the Box with 120 locations.

Applebee's with 30 locations.

Hardees is closing 145 locations.

Wendy's is closing 72 locations.

Popeyes is closing up to 30 locations.

Up to 20,000 job losses are expected from restaurant closures in 2025, though these numbers do not account for the number of businesses leaving states like California after they instituted their $20 per hour minimum wage law for fast food workers.  

The persistent inflation pressures in food markets over the last five years is becoming a central point of contention for Americans on both sides of the political aisle.  It's one of the few things that the political left and conservatives agree on as a top priority for government intervention.  No one agrees on the nature of that intervention, however.

Democrats have suggested government subsidized (or owned) grocery stores with price controls.  Such stores have been tried in cities like Kansas City and failed miserably, but candidates like Zohran Mamdani claims that he can make them work in New York (it will be a disaster).  Price controls on food invariably lead to a collapse in food production as farmers and manufacturers lose profit incentives.  This causes food shortages, and even more price inflation.

Conservatives are more inclined to target the source of the problem, namely the Federal Reserve and its fiat printing operations to support government spending.  But some argue that the damage has already been done.  Auditing the Fed or shutting it down at this stage would merely act as a post-mortem on an economic murder that was committed years ago. 

Furthermore, the ongoing government shutdown proves that cutting almost anything from the budget is nearly impossible (even healthcare subsidies for illegals).  Achieving a consensus will be an impossible feat. 

If there is a solution at the federal level, then a subsidized increased in food production would probably be the answer, at least in the short term.  Boosting food supply across the board would help to outweigh demand and cut prices.  This kind of project, though, could take a couple years to organize, not accounting for the Democrat Party's complete refusal to compromise and work with conservatives.  In other words, restaurant profit margins will continue to shrink, prices will continue to skyrocket and closures with climb for the foreseeable future.    

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 09:25

Travel Chaos At Major Airports As Government Shutdown Reaches Record 35th Day

Travel Chaos At Major Airports As Government Shutdown Reaches Record 35th Day

Authored by Kimberley Hayek via The Epoch Times,

Federal aviation authorities implemented new ground halts at major Texas airports on Monday as the ongoing government shutdown drove air traffic controller absences to higher levels.

The deadlock on funding in Congress has seen operations delayed or stalled for 3.2 million passengers since the start of the shutdown.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) highlighted that acute personnel shortages were responsible for service stoppages in Dallas and Austin, with similar actions likely to be taken in Houston and Washington-area hubs.

By midday Monday, upward of 2,900 flights had been delayed or canceled, as the shutdown equals its record 35 days.

Approximately 13,000 controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration sentinels are working without pay to keep the air transport system open.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that the department would impose a comprehensive airspace ground halt should the situation become unsafe.

“If we thought that it was unsafe ... we'll shut the whole airspace down. We won’t let people travel. We’re not there at this point. It’s just significant delays,” Duffy told CNBC.

The FAA documented on Friday more than 6,200 delayed flights and 500 cancellations. In New York, absences spiked to 80 percent, with Duffy attributing 65 percent of the postponements to air traffic controller shortages.

More than 3.2 million travelers were affected by the travel chaos, including 300,000 on Friday alone, according to Airlines for America, the consortium advocating for American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue Airways, which quantified the aggregate toll.

United CEO Scott Kirby warned that the shutdown was affecting flight bookings and that airlines are growing worried about the coming start of the holiday travel season, echoing Vice President JD Vance’s similar sentiments about the shutdown’s effect on holiday travel, who warned it could become a “disaster.”

Duffy underscored that the vast majority of travel issues are due to the lack of air traffic controllers coming into work, but said he wouldn’t fire any, saying they “are trying to put food on their families’ table.”

“I am asking all of them to come to work,” he said.

Duffy has called on Democrats in the Senate to pass the Republicans’ continuing resolution to fund the government at current levels. Democrats say they won’t pass funding until Republicans agree to health care reforms.

“Yesterday saw another horrible record set: 84% of delays were due to staff shortages,” Duffy posted Monday on X. “If this shutdown doesn’t end now, air traffic controllers will receive another $0 paycheck.”

Many air traffic controllers have temporarily taken on second jobs, citing living expenses such as housing, child care, food, and gas as their primary concerns. Officials expect that number to increase the longer the shutdown drags on.

Monday’s delay comes on the back of a tumultuous weekend for air travelers. Newark Liberty International Airport saw ground delays of three-and-a-half hours on Sunday, representing half of nationwide flight cancellations.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 09:05

Travel Chaos At Major Airports As Government Shutdown Reaches Record 35th Day

Travel Chaos At Major Airports As Government Shutdown Reaches Record 35th Day

Authored by Kimberley Hayek via The Epoch Times,

Federal aviation authorities implemented new ground halts at major Texas airports on Monday as the ongoing government shutdown drove air traffic controller absences to higher levels.

The deadlock on funding in Congress has seen operations delayed or stalled for 3.2 million passengers since the start of the shutdown.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) highlighted that acute personnel shortages were responsible for service stoppages in Dallas and Austin, with similar actions likely to be taken in Houston and Washington-area hubs.

By midday Monday, upward of 2,900 flights had been delayed or canceled, as the shutdown equals its record 35 days.

Approximately 13,000 controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration sentinels are working without pay to keep the air transport system open.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that the department would impose a comprehensive airspace ground halt should the situation become unsafe.

“If we thought that it was unsafe ... we'll shut the whole airspace down. We won’t let people travel. We’re not there at this point. It’s just significant delays,” Duffy told CNBC.

The FAA documented on Friday more than 6,200 delayed flights and 500 cancellations. In New York, absences spiked to 80 percent, with Duffy attributing 65 percent of the postponements to air traffic controller shortages.

More than 3.2 million travelers were affected by the travel chaos, including 300,000 on Friday alone, according to Airlines for America, the consortium advocating for American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue Airways, which quantified the aggregate toll.

United CEO Scott Kirby warned that the shutdown was affecting flight bookings and that airlines are growing worried about the coming start of the holiday travel season, echoing Vice President JD Vance’s similar sentiments about the shutdown’s effect on holiday travel, who warned it could become a “disaster.”

Duffy underscored that the vast majority of travel issues are due to the lack of air traffic controllers coming into work, but said he wouldn’t fire any, saying they “are trying to put food on their families’ table.”

“I am asking all of them to come to work,” he said.

Duffy has called on Democrats in the Senate to pass the Republicans’ continuing resolution to fund the government at current levels. Democrats say they won’t pass funding until Republicans agree to health care reforms.

“Yesterday saw another horrible record set: 84% of delays were due to staff shortages,” Duffy posted Monday on X. “If this shutdown doesn’t end now, air traffic controllers will receive another $0 paycheck.”

Many air traffic controllers have temporarily taken on second jobs, citing living expenses such as housing, child care, food, and gas as their primary concerns. Officials expect that number to increase the longer the shutdown drags on.

Monday’s delay comes on the back of a tumultuous weekend for air travelers. Newark Liberty International Airport saw ground delays of three-and-a-half hours on Sunday, representing half of nationwide flight cancellations.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 09:05

Futures Slide As Palantir, Cryptos Tumble Amid Broad Momentum Revulsion

Futures Slide As Palantir, Cryptos Tumble Amid Broad Momentum Revulsion

US equity futures are under serious pressure this morning with all 3 indices down more than 1% with Palantir’s strong beat and raise not only failing to spur follow-through buying but sparking what appears to be momentum chasing revulsion. Combined with a pullback in crypto and some hawkish Fed remarks, an unwind in pockets of the hyper-momentum trade is taking hold.  Separately, headlines pointing to a cautious comments from execs at a Financials industry conference are not helping. As of 8:00am ET, S&P futures are down 1% (and well off session lows hit shortly after the European open), with Nasdaq 100 futs down 1.3%; underperformance in the latter and the broader weakness in risk assets can be traced back to Palantir shares falling over 4% postmarket after earnings (they’re down almost 8% in premarket) while Mag7/Semi names slide down 1% - 3%, though staples are in the green. Sharp declines across various cryptocurrencies has also hampered sentiment as Bitcoin loses another 3% and drops below $104,000, a level first seen in December 2024. At a financial summit organized by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, several CEOs flagged pullback / correction risk while also flagging risks from valuation, a lack of AI ROI, and private credit. Meanwhile, as noted here yesterday, PLTR had a decent print but as JPMorgan writes today, it "trades at more than 300x its fwd multiple, illustrating the CEOs point on valuation. This comes at a time when several clients flagged the narrow breadth as a red flag for the mkt." Across assets, there is a global risk-off tone with bonds and USD bid, while all 3 commodity complexes are for sale, although oil is a notable laggard. Earnings from HC could trigger a further rotation towards defensive plays. 

In premarket trading, all Mag 7 stocks are lower (Tesla -2.4%, Nvidia -1.9%, Alphabet -1.6%, Amazon -1.3%, Meta Platforms -1.3%, Microsoft -0.6%, Apple -0.7%). 

  • Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) sinks 9% after the grain handler cut its adjusted earnings per share guidance for the full year. The firm also reported revenue for the third quarter that trailed the average analyst estimate.
  • Eaton Corp (ETN) falls 4% after the power-equipment company forecast adjusted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of $3.23 to $3.43, a range with a midpoint below what analysts expected. Net sales missed estimates in the third quarter.
  • Fabrinet (FN) rises 6% on light volume after fiscal first quarter results and second quarter guidance beat estimates.
  • Global Payments (GPN) rises 7% after posting quarterly results.
  • Insperity (NSP) sinks 27% after the professional services company cut its adjusted earnings per share guidance for the full year. The reduced outlook missed the average analyst estimate.
  • Norwegian Cruise (NCLH) falls 8% after the cruise operator reported revenue for the third quarter that missed the average analyst estimate.
  • Palantir Technologies (PLTR) falls 7%, taking a breather after rallying more than 170% this year. The data-analysis software company raised its full-year forecast and reported third-quarter results that beat expectations. While analysts are broadly positive on the report, they flag concerns over the stock’s premium valuation.
  • Paymentus Holdings (PAY) rises 9% after the online bill payment company provided fourth quarter guidance that topped estimates.
  • Sarepta (SRPT) tumbles 39% after the drugmaker says the study of Amondys 45 and Vyondys 53 in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy missed primary endpoint, raising questions about their future.
  • SunCoke Energy (SXC) rises 5% after narrowing its adjusted Ebitda guidance for the full year.
  • Uber Technologies Inc. (UBER) slips 3% after the company posted a miss on third-quarter operating income and issued an adjusted earnings forecast for the current period that also fell short of analysts’ estimates.
  • Upwork (UPWK) rises 19% after the online recruitment company reported third-quarter results that beat expectations and raised its full-year forecast. Analysts highlighted growth in gross services volume as a notable positive, with AI acting as a tailwind.
  • Whitestone REIT (WSR) climbs 15% as people familiar said MCB Real Estate is making a renewed push to acquire the company.
  • Yum! Brands Inc. (YUM) ticks 2% higher after initiating a strategic review for Pizza Hut, exploring options for the struggling chain.
  • Zoetis Inc. (ZTS) falls 7% after the animal health company cut its revenue guidance for the full year.

In corporate news, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund will vote against the $1 trillion pay package proposed for Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Starbucks agreed to sell a majority stake in its China business to Boyu Capital at a $4 billion enterprise value. Amazon alleged that a Berkshire Hathaway-owned utility in Oregon is failing to provide sufficient power for four new data center facilities.

Global risk slid after Palantir Technologies raised its annual revenue outlook to $4.4 billion and outpaced analyst estimates for third-quarter sales, yet its shares first jumped only to tumble on concerns about the company’s lofty valuation after a record run-up.

“On Palantir, there’s been quite a lot of ‘sell-on-the-news,’ particularly for stocks which had outperformed prior to their earnings,” said Karen Georges, a fund manager at Ecofi Investissements in Paris. “When you have lofty valuations, it’s really not surprising to see harsh market price action.”

Meanwhile, as we noted last night, Goldman calculates that CTAs will be small sellers of equities under every scenario over the coming week. At the same time, Wall Street CEOs are warning of a potential equity market drop. Capital Group’s CEO Mike Gitlin notes corporate earnings are strong but “what’s challenging are valuations,” and Morgan Stanley’s Ted Pick said markets have come a long way, but there’s still “policy error risk” in the US and geopolitical uncertainty. 

Besides the overnight tumble in global stocks, cryptocurrencies are also suffering, with both Bitcoin and Ether mimicking the moves in equity futures and gold is hitting the lows of the day to give this the air of a generalized slide. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index is at the highest level since early August. 

Also adding to the negative sentiment Tuesday was increased uncertainty over the Fed’s policy outlook. Officials presented mixed messages Monday, reflecting divisions within the central bank ahead of its December meeting. Austan Goolsbee emphasized persistent inflation risks, and said the government shutdown shifts risks to inflation, with lack of recent data leaving the central bank “with one eye covered.” Lisa Cook pointed to growing labor-market fragility. Mary Daly said policymakers should “keep an open mind” about another rate cut, and Stephen Miran noted that policy remains restrictive.

“It’s the Fed again,” said Anna Wu, a cross-asset strategist at Van Eck. “The inflation comment startled the markets and weighed on sentiment.”

For the tape to broaden sustainably, we’ll likely need clearer Fed policy visibility that reduces risk premiums across small-caps and cyclicals, evidence of further top-line firming outside AI or a soft landing with labor and inflation data putting stagflation fears to rest according to Bloomberg, whose equity strategists note small-cap stocks can’t shake the “big-cap shadow” as sector dispersion widened through October. 

Despite Tuesday’s losses, positioning on the S&P 500 remains bullish and extended, but with profit-taking risks less evident, according to Citigroup Inc. strategists. “We have the stock market trading at an all-time high, whether you look at the US or Europe,” Benedicte Lowe, equity derivatives strategist at BNP Paribas SA, told Bloomberg TV. “Any investor is looking for any signs of downward news. Our view remains bullish until the year-end.”

A quick look at earnings, Out of the 336 S&P 500 companies that have reported so far in the earnings season, 82% have managed to beat analyst forecasts, while 14% have missed. Apollo Global, Eaton, Global Payments, Marriott, Norwegian Cruise Line, Pfizer, Shopify, Spotify, Uber, Yum! Brands and Zoetis are among companies expected to report results before the market opens. Shopify will likely highlight several advances in key or emerging-growth avenues, including acquisition of large merchants and agentic commerce according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Earnings from AMD, Amgen, Arista, Live Nation, Pinterest, Rivian and Super Micro Computer follow later in the day.

Corporate earnings are strong but “what’s challenging are valuations,” said Mike Gitlin, president and chief executive officer of investment manager Capital Group, during the Hong Kong Monetary Authority financial summit. 

In Europe, the Stoxx 600 falls 1.6% following a broadly weaker Asian session. All 20 sectors are in the red but mining, retail and telecommunications are the worst performers. Telefonica is among the biggest laggards after reducing its free-cash-flow guidance for the full year. Here are the biggest movers Tuesday:

  • Coloplast shares rise as much as 3.4%, reversing an earlier 3% decline, after the Danish medical-products maker forecast organic revenue growth of about 7% for the 2026 fiscal year
  • Geberit gains as much as 3.7%, the most in almost three months, after the Swiss building materials firm increases its 2025 net sales guidance. Analysts expect this to translate into some minor uplift to consensus numbers
  • Philips shares rise as much as 3.9%, the most in more than three months, after the Dutch medical technology firm reported better-than-expected adjusted Ebita for the third quarter
  • Oerlikon rises as much as 9.1%, before paring some of those gains, after recording a beat on orders in the third quarter. While analysts welcome this strong order development for the Swiss industrial technology group
  • Elmos Semiconductor gains as much as 9.7%, the most since April, as Warburg says that third-quarter results came in slightly ahead of expectations
  • Wereldhave shares rise as much as 3.2% after the investment company posted strong results and raised the midpoint of its guidance, according to analysts
  • Kinepolis shares rise as much as 6.3% after the movie theater operator agreed to buy the operations of US firm Emagine Entertainment. Degroof Petercam said this is “clearly the first decent transaction” struck by the company
  • Telefonica shares slide as much as 11%, the most in more than five years, after the telecom operator reduced free cash flow guidance for 2025 while seeing a higher leverage ratio at the end of the year
  • BioMerieux slides as much as 4.1% after cutting its organic sales forecast for the full year, and delivering revenue below expectations in the third quarter, impacted mainly by worse-than-expected Molecular respiratory sales
  • Fresenius Medical Care shares drop as much as 6.5%, the most in roughly three months, after the German provider of dialysis care and equipment reported third-quarter results. US same market treatment grew 0.1% during the period
  • Schaeffler falls as much as 5.8%, with analysts saying valuation is starting to look stretched. The German firm’s results were seen in-line with a pre-release and brokers called increased momentum in humanoid activities supportive
  • AB Foods falls as much as 2.9% after the UK conglomerate reported earnings and said it is conducting a review that could lead to a separation of the Primark clothing retailer and its Food units
  • Domino’s Pizza Group shares fall as much as 2% in London, extending year-to-date losses, as analysts pointed to declining volumes in the company’s third-quarter trading update

Earlier in the session, Asian stocks declined, with South Korea leading the retreat, as traders sold some high-flying tech shares and parsed comments from Federal Reserve officials to gauge the outlook for interest rates. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped as much as 1%, its biggest intraday slump since October 17, with chipmakers Samsung Electronics and TSMC among the biggest drags. SK Hynix slipped after Korea’s exchange issued an investment caution on the stock after its big rally. Key gauges also declined in Australia, China and Taiwan. Risk-off sentiment comes after Fed official Austan Goolsbee said he’s more concerned about inflation than the labor market, spurring caution over the outlook for further rate cuts. With the MSCI Asian benchmark and other indexes around the region trading near record highs, traders have been hoping for supportive policy and comments to help extend the rallies. Stocks also fell in Hong Kong and India. Meanwhile, gauges in Vietnam and the Philippines rebounded as sentiment improves.

In FX, the yen is up 0.5% against the greenback and at the top of the G-10 FX leaderboard, boosted by haven demand as global equity markets decline. Some modest jawboning from the Japanese finance minister will have helped. The pound falls 0.5%, although its the kiwi and krone leading declines against the greenback.

In rates, treasuries gain, pushing US 10-year yields down 3 bps to 4.09%; US yields are richer by 2bp to 3bp across the curve with 5s30s spread wider by around 1bp. Gilts extended gains during a speech by Chancellor Reeves before fading. UK 10-year borrowing costs are down 3 bps. IG dollar issuance slate has four offerings so far. Monday’s volume was second-highest this year — $34.5 billion from 13 borrowers, led by Alphabet with an $17.5 billion eight-part offering. UK bonds outperformed their European peers after Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves signaled that further tax increases may be needed to achieve fiscal consolidation in this month’s budget, while stressing the importance of curbing inflation and keeping borrowing in check. The 10-year gilt yield fell two basis points to 4.41%, while the pound weakened as traders priced in a quicker pace of interest-rate cuts.

Today's economic calendar slate empty for the session as US government data continue to be postponed by shutdown that began Oct. 1. Fed speaker slate also blank after Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman spoke earlier on banking supervision and monetary policy

Market Snapshot

  • S&P 500 mini -1.2%
  • Nasdaq 100 mini -1.5%
  • Russell 2000 mini -1.6%
  • Stoxx Europe 600 -1.5%
  • DAX -1.7%
  • CAC 40 -1.6%
  • 10-year Treasury yield -3 basis points at 4.08%
  • VIX +2.9 points at 20.05
  • Bloomberg Dollar Index +0.2% at 1223.46
  • euro -0.1% at $1.1506
  • WTI crude -1.6% at $60.1/barrel

Top Overnight News

  • The outlines of a potential deal to end the [US government] shutdown are starting to take shape, although the talks are very fragile at this point and there’s still a long way to go: Punchbowl. 
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he was “optimistic” an agreement can be reached this week to end the five-week shutdown as bipartisan rank-and-file talks make progress. Politico
  • A string of alleged frauds by corporate borrowers is spurring a reckoning across Wall Street, sending bankers and investors scrambling to prevent future blowups. WSJ
  • Trump said he is going to ask the Transportation Secretary to take a look at terminating New York City congestion pricing, while he added it is highly unlikely that he will be contributing federal funds to NYC if Mamdani wins the mayoral race.
  • Insurers shopping for better credit ratings on their private credit assets are creating a “looming systemic risk” to global finance, the chair of UBS has warned. FT
  • China called on the US to avoid sensitive issues so that a trade truce can hold. Ambassador Xie Feng named Taiwan, democracy and human rights, China’s political system, and development rights as Beijing’s four red lines. BBG
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves declined to reiterate Labour’s manifesto commitment against broad-based tax hikes, as she made an unusual appeal to the British public to support her upcoming budget. BBG
  • China has increased subsidies that cut energy bills by up to half for some of the country’s largest data centers, as Beijing steps up efforts to boost its domestic chips industry and compete with the US. FT
  • South Korea’s headline inflation accelerated at a faster-than-expected pace to a 15-month high in October, lifted by higher prices for agricultural and livestock products. Inflation accelerated to +2.2% Y/Y in Oct (on a core basis), above the consensus forecast of +2% and up from +2% in Sept. WSJ
  • RBA left rates unchanged, as expected, and signaled unease with the recent rise in inflation (the RBA said it expects rates to stay at their present level for “a while”). RBA
  • Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said the government shutdown has left the Fed with “one eye covered,” forcing caution on rates. While he still sees room to ease, Goolsbee told Semafor he worries about “front-loading” cuts without more data. BBG
  • Wall Street seems unworried about the lackluster breadth of the equity market rally, despite parallels to the tech bubble of the late 1990s. The charge is increasingly led by a handful of tech companies, with the ratio of S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index to the S&P 500 at its lowest since 2003. BBG

Trade/Tariffs

  • US Treasury Secretary Bessent said he will be at the Supreme Court to emphasise the importance of tariffs, according to Fox News.
  • South Korea’s Industry Ministry said it is to expand financial and policy support for exporters facing US and EU steel tariffs, while South Korea will restructure the steel sector as the industry shows mounting signs of a crisis, and will also take pre-emptive steps to adjust production capacity in oversupplied products.
  • Panama Canal chief said reduction in world trade is likely next year amid economic slowdown and expects passage of LPG vessels to continue increasing, while the chief said Panama Canal’s market share of US LPG exports to Asia rising to more than 95% from 80% and that the long-term reservation system allocated more slots this time than in the previous edition.
  • Chinese Commerce Ministry says regarding Nexperia, that it urges the Dutch government to stop interfering company affairs, adds will resolutely safeguard rights and interests of firms. Dutch government has not demonstrated a constructive attitude and actions, and escalated the global supply chain crisis despite China's reasonable demands. Netherlands should bear the full responsibility of turmoil and chaos in the global semiconductor production and supply chain.

A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk

APAC stocks were mostly subdued following the mixed lead from Wall St, where the majority of sectors declined but tech outperformed amid strength in some of the mega-caps following deal announcements. ASX 200 was softer with the downside led by the utilities, materials, mining and resources industries, while participants also awaited the RBA decision in which the central bank kept the Cash Rate unchanged at 3.60%, as expected. Nikkei 225 swung between gains and losses with participants indecisive on return from the extended weekend and alongside a quiet calendar. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp were lacklustre amid quiet pertinent catalysts and after a report that Trump admin officials torpedoed NVIDIA's push to export AI chips to China. Nonetheless, the downside was limited amid a slew of comments from the Beijing officials at the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit in Hong Kong, including from the PBoC's Deputy Governor, who stated they will enhance Hong Kong's status as a global financial centre and will strengthen policy support.

Top Asian News

  • Chinese President Xi met with Russian PM Mishustin and said in the meeting that the sides should steadily expand mutual investment and maintain close communication, as well as create new cooperation growth points and cooperate in areas such as AI, digital economy and green development.
  • Chinese Vice Premier He said Hong Kong’s competitiveness and attractiveness prove the city thrives under the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework, while he added that Hong Kong will further enhance and improve its status as a global financial centre. He also stated that Hong Kong should strengthen cooperation with the mainland and hopes that Hong Kong will continue to play an active role in connecting the world and advancing global governance. Furthermore, he stated that the global economic environment has seen new challenges this year and it is important to deepen trade and economic activities with other countries.
  • PBoC Deputy Governor said will work to enhance Hong Kong's status as a global financial centre, and strengthen policy support.
  • China's Financial Regulator Vice Minister said Hong Kong-funded institutions will be supported to develop in the mainland, and they will continue to deepen the Connect programmes, while they will also prevent cross-border financial risks.
  • China reportedly offers its tech giants cheap power to boost domestic AI chips, according to FT.
  • Nintendo (7974 JT) 6-month Net Profit 198.94bln (prev. 108.66bln Y/Y); raises guidance, sees FY Op. Income JPY 370bln (prev. guided 320bln); sees FY Switch 2 Sales 19mln units; raises dividend payout ratio to 60% (prev. 50%).
  • Japan's Finance Minister Katayama says seeing one-sided rapid moves and closely watching FX moves with a high sense of urgency.

European bourses (STOXX 600 -1.6%) opened lower across the board, but without a clear driver. As the morning progressed, indices continued to slip and now generally reside at troughs. European sectors are in the red across the board but with a clear defensive bias. The shallowest losses are seen in Food Beverage, Real Estate, Utilities, Healthcare, and Optimised Personal Care Drug and Grocery. On the flip side, Basic Resources, Retail, Telecoms (due to losses in Telefonica), and Industrial Goods and Services at the foot of the pile.

Top European News

  • ECB's Rehn says uncertainty about future economic development remains high and risks are skewed downside.
  • French Socialist Party leader Faure said his party will give the government additional time to come up with a budget it deems acceptable before deciding whether to use its power in parliament to topple the administration, according to Bloomberg.
  • ECB's Rehn says uncertainty about future economic development remains high and risks are skewed downside.
  • ECB's Lagarde says currency changeovers can produce a temporary uptick in inflation.
  • SNB's Tschudin says monetary policy is aimed at ensuring price stability. SNB interest rates are where they should be and will only use negative rates when necessary. The value of the Franc is not decisive for the monetary policy of the SNB. Important on how the exchange rate changes and its effect on inflation. Not in a situation where we would like to see lower inflation.
  • UK Chancellor Reeves' Pre-Budget Speech: says will make choices necessary to deliver strong foundations for UK economy; important choices that will shape the future of UK for years to come; Inflation has been too slow to come down. Commitment to fiscal rules is iron clad. The more debt UK tries to sell, the more it will cost. Note, Reeves did not mention the manifesto pledges around taxation during this introductory speech.
  • UK PM Starmer informed Labour MPs at a private meeting that the budget would be determined by "tough but fair decisions", adding that the backdrop to the fiscal update was "worse than even we feared". The article frames it as increasing speculation of income tax rises, by Starmer saying they would reject austerity and protect the NHS. (FT)

FX

  • DXY is on a slightly firmer footing and trades at the upper end of a 99.73-100.04 range, reclaiming the 100.00 mark for the first time since early August. Lack of notable newsflow in recent trade, but with traders remaining attentive of the mixed views held at the Fed and the ongoing US Government shutdown. Today's docket will provide little in the way of additional clues. However, tomorrow markets will be presented by the latest ADP employment change and ISM services print. Note, tomorrow will see the commencement of the hearing on the legality of US President Trump's Reciprocal Tariff Policy. After a venture above the 100 mark, DXY has since moved back to flat levels around the 99.90 mark.
  • EUR/USD is a little lower today and trades within a 1.1499-1.1533 range. As above, really not much newsflow driving things today, and ultimately moving at the whim of the USD. This morning ECB commentary has not really moved things for the Single-currency; Rehn highlighted the uncertainty about future economic development, noting that inflation risks are two-sided, whilst Lagarde said currency changeovers can produce a temporary uptick in inflation. Within the Eurozone, attention remains on French politics with the Socialist Party giving the government additional time to come up with a budget it deems acceptable.
  • JPY is the best performer across the majors as Japanese investors return from the long weekend. The bid in the JPY is being driven by a combination of the risk-aversion in the market triggered by selling in global equities and ongoing jawboning from Japanese officials with Finance Minister cautioning against one-sided rapid moves and noting that she is closely watching FX moves with a high sense of urgency. USD/JPY hit a new multi-month high overnight at 154.48 before slipping onto a 153 handle and making a current session low at 153.34.
  • GBP is on the backfoot vs. the USD and EUR with attention in the UK fixated on the fiscal backdrop following a pre-budget press conference by UK Chancellor Reeves. Politically for Reeves, the issue is that in her election manifesto she vowed to "not increase National Insurance, the basic, higher, or additional rates of Income Tax, or VAT”. The mood music in recent weeks has suggested that it is inevitable this pledge will need to be broken. As such, Reeves used today as an opportunity to pitch roll such a decision. That being said, Reeves stopped shy of confirming that the manifesto will be broken and refrained from unveiling specific policy pledges. The negativity surrounding Reeves remarks has weighed on the GBP with Cable back below the 1.31 mark and at its lowest level since mid-April with a current session trough at 1.3060.
  • Antipodeans are both weaker vs. the USD primarily on account of the broad risk-aversion triggered by selling in global equity markets. AUD has also digested the latest RBA policy announcement, which was overall leaned hawkishly. As expected, the RBA opted to keep rates unchanged on hold following last week's hotter-than-expected outturn for Q3 inflation. Within the release, the RBA noted that some of the factors driving the upside were deemed to be temporary. However, markets have focused on the RBA's forecast, which sees just one cut in 2026 vs. the two seen in August.

Fixed Income

  • Gilts are outperforming vs peers today, attributed to a speech by the UK Chancellor; more-so on the reports pre-presser rather than any announcement itself. In brief, the Chancellor reiterated her fiscal policy stance, but avoided reiterating her tax related pledges. An omission that has been interpreted as confirming the pre-market briefings regarding the likely manifesto breaking tax increase(s). Her press conference then began and saw her avoid questions around policy specifics and the manifesto pledges. Overall, the main takeaway being she has, as expected, laid the foundation for tax increases in the Budget. In terms of price action, Gilts held around 93.70 into the presser, before then rising as she spoke to a session peak of 93.98; UK paper then scaled back down to pre-presser levels. Elsewhere, 2029 Gilt supply was well received with a b/c in excess of 3x and a smaller-than-prior tail. No move to the results.
  • USTs are firmer, posting gains of a handful of ticks into a session largely devoid of data owing to the shutdown with just RCM/Tipp optimism due. Prior to that, Fed’s Bowman is scheduled though the topic is banking supervision; Bowman hasn’t spoken on policy since mid-October, where she outlined a view for two more cuts before end-2025. Upside this morning that was spurred by a deterioration in the risk tone, as sentiment drifted during the early European morning and into the European cash equity open itself. No fresh catalyst at the time behind the pullback, but it continued the subdued APAC tone and Wall St. handover where sectors ex-tech ended in the red. At a 112-28+ peak, eclipsing Friday’s high by a tick and notching a new WTD peak. As such, we look to 112-29+ from last Thursday and then a gap before last week’s 113-18 best.
  • Bunds are also firmer with the narrative echoing the above. Bunds hit a 129.35 peak just before the European cash equity open and thereafter moved in tandem with Gilts and pulled back to around the mid-point of the day’s 129.09-35 band. More recently, as tone deteriorates as discussed in USTs, Bunds have reverted back to and are probing the earlier peak. If this is eclipsed, we look to 129.46 from Friday before resistance from early last week between 129.62, 129.64 and 129.73. A tepid Schatz outing thereafter had no impact on the benchmark.

Commodities

  • Crude benchmarks have been weighed on by the overall risk-off sentiment seen across markets as the European session got underway. After oscillating in a tight c. USD 0.20/bbl range during the APAC session, WTI and Brent extended on Monday’s low at USD 60.51/bbl and 64.33/bbl respectively to a trough of USD 59.94/bbl and USD 63.44/bbl as global risk sentiment sours.
  • Spot XAU continues to oscillate within range formed over the prior 5 days, despite a wider risk-off theme running through markets during APAC trade and into the European session. XAU dipped to a trough of USD 3967/oz as the APAC session ended before a slight bounce to the key USD 4k/oz level.
  • Base metals continue to fall following the tech-led equity selloff in global benchmarks. 3M LME Copper peaked at USD 10.86k/t early in APAC trade before extending on last week’s low at USD 10.81k/t to a trough of USD 10.65k/t. Currently, the red metal is oscillating in a USD 70/t band near the lows of the day.
  • OPEC+ decision on Sunday to keep oil output targets steady in Q1 came after Russia lobbied for the pause because it would struggle to increase exports due to Western sanctions, according to Reuters citing sources.
  • Libya's Oil Minister says there is a target to increase oil output to 2mln BPD (currently c. 1.4mln) in the next five years; looking at 1.6mln BPD in 2026 and then 1.8mln BPD in 2027.
  • Iraq PM orders a pause on imports of gasoline, kerosene and "White Oil", via State News Agency.
  • Shanghai Futures Exchange is to adjust transaction fees for cast aluminium alloy and offset printing paper futures and options products from the close of trading on November 7th.

Geopolitics: Middle East

  • Palestinian media reported that IDF vehicles fired at areas in the Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, according to Sky News Arabia.
  • "Iranian government spokeswoman: We will never move towards building a nuclear bomb", according to Sky News Arabia.

Geopolitics: Ukraine

  • Blast at a petrochemical plant in Russia's Bashkortostan caused the partial collapse of a workshop, according to TASS.
  • Russia says it struck civilian energy and port infrastructure in a large-scale attack on Ukraine's Odesa region overnight, according to the regional governor.

Geopolitics: Other

  • Peru's Foreign Minister announced that the country decided to break diplomatic relations with Mexico, due to Mexico's unfriendly act of starting a process to grant asylum to former PM Betssy Chavez.

US Event Calendar

  • 8:30 am: Sep Trade Balance, est. -64.13b
  • 10:00 am: Sep JOLTS Job Openings, est. 7130k, prior 7227k
  • 10:00 am: Sep Factory Orders
  • 10:00 am: Sep F Durable Goods Orders
  • 10:00 am: Sep F Durables Ex Transportation
  • 10:00 am: Sep F Cap Goods Orders Nondef Ex Air
  • 10:00 am: Sep F Cap Goods Ship Nondef Ex Air

DB's Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap

Markets have started November with familiar themes, with the S&P 500 (+0.17%) managing to see a gain yesterday but with the Magnificent 7 (+1.18%) and the S&P 500 ex-Mag-7 (-0.30%) diverging once again. The main driver was yet another AI deal, this time Amazon’s with OpenAI. The equal-weighted S&P 500 (-0.30%) fell back as investors weighted up weak data, hawkish Fedspeak, and a government shutdown that’s now the joint-longest in history and at midnight tonight will be the longest. US politics will also be in the spotlight today for other reasons, as we’ve got the New York City mayoral election, as well as gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. It feels like a mini mid-term in the first half term of this Presidency.

Overnight we are seeing a bit more negativity take over after Palantir fell more than -4% after hours. Their results were good but markets were disappointed at the lack of company visibility for the whole of 2026. As Bloomberg shows, the company has the highest price to sales in the S&P 500 at 85, and the stock is up more than 150% this year. For reference, the index has a price to sales ratio of around 3.5. Nasdaq futures are -0.85% this morning and S&P futures -0.59%. Asian markets are mostly lower as we'll see below.

In terms of the various drivers in markets yesterday, a weak ISM manufacturing print didn’t help matters - outside of tech which marches to its own drum - particularly because the government shutdown and lack of data is heightening the importance of the limited data we’re still getting. The headline measure unexpectedly fell back to 48.7 in October (vs. 49.5 expected and 49.1 previous). Subcomponents for employment (46.0) and new orders (49.4) did see a tick up but also remained in contractionary territory. So there really wasn’t much to reassure investors on the outlook, particularly given this is one of the early stats we have that covers Q4 and the government shutdown.

In the meantime, US Treasuries were also struggling thanks to some hawkish Fedspeak. In particular, Chicago Fed President Goolsbee (a voter this year) said that he was “not decided” about the December meeting, and that he was “nervous about the inflation side of the ledger, where you’ve seen inflation above the target for four and a half years and it’s trending the wrong way.” Daly later said that they should "keep an open mind" ahead of the December FOMC. Our economists had pegged her as an official who would have likely supported a cut next month. Fed Governor Cook did say that downside risks to employment were higher than upside risks to inflation, but stopped short of endorsing a cut for December’s “live meeting”. So all this added to Powell’s comments last week that brought a December cut into question, and yields moved higher across the curve. For instance, the 2yr yield (+3.1bps) moved up to 3.61%, whilst the 10yr yield (+3.3bps) rose to 4.11%. We did hear from Governor Miran as well yesterday, but he stuck to his view that the Fed “is too restrictive”, having voted for a larger 50bp cut at last week’s meeting.

All this meant that non-tech equities failed to gain traction as mentioned at the top. The gains were driven by Amazon’s (+4.00%) deal with OpenAI, who are going to pay Amazon Web Services for Nvidia chips in a 7-year deal. Nvidia (+2.17%) and Tesla (+2.59%) also outperformed and Alphabet (+0.90%) reached a new all-time high. But otherwise, it wasn’t a great day, as the equal-weighted S&P 500 (-0.30%) and the small-cap Russell 2000 (-0.33%) both fell, with materials (-0.62%) and consumer staples (-0.47%) sectors leading the declines within the S&P.

In the credit space, US IG spreads were +4bps wider on the day to 82bps. That’s their widest level since early July, albeit still only 10bps from recent multi-decade lows. The credit sell off came even as the Fed’s latest quarterly Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS) suggested that earlier tightness in bank credit conditions was easing. Banks’ willingness to extend consumer loans inched up to its highest since 2022 (+7 net vs +5 previous), while demand for mortgages grew for the first time since 2021. With the SLOOS arguing against downside for US growth, our rates strategists have re-entered a short position on 10yr Treasuries with a target of 4.45%

Asian equity markets are lower this morning after Palantir's results. The KOSPI (-2.17%) is leading the sell-off, followed by the S&P/ASX 200 (-0.91%), Nikkei (-0.77%), the CSI (-0.54%), the Shanghai Composite (-0.34%), and the Hang Seng (-0.17%) all of which are lower, along with US equity futures. The RBA has left rates unchanged for the second consecutive meeting, as widely expected. 10yr USTs are a basis point lower.

Back to Europe yesterday, markets had followed a broadly similar pattern to the US, with subdued equity gains alongside losses for sovereign bonds. So the STOXX 600 (+0.07%) eked out a modest gain, ending a run of 4 consecutive declines from last week. That came amidst losses for the UK’s FTSE 100 (-0.16%) and France’s CAC 40 (-0.14%) which contrasted with stronger gains for the German DAX (+0.73%) as industrial sectors outperformed led by a +4.23% gain for Rheinmetall. Meanwhile for sovereign bonds, Europe saw similar losses as the US, with yields on 10yr bunds (+3.4bps), OATs (+2.3bps) and BTPs (+2.7bps) all rising.

To the day ahead now, and central bank speakers include ECB President Lagarde, the ECB’s Patsalides, Escriva, Rehn, and Nagel, the Fed’s Bowman and the BoE’s Breeden. Otherwise, earnings releases include Uber and Pfizer. Meanwhile, several US elections are taking place, including the New York City mayoral election, and gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 08:39

Futures Slide As Palantir, Cryptos Tumble Amid Broad Momentum Revulsion

Futures Slide As Palantir, Cryptos Tumble Amid Broad Momentum Revulsion

US equity futures are under serious pressure this morning with all 3 indices down more than 1% with Palantir’s strong beat and raise not only failing to spur follow-through buying but sparking what appears to be momentum chasing revulsion. Combined with a pullback in crypto and some hawkish Fed remarks, an unwind in pockets of the hyper-momentum trade is taking hold.  Separately, headlines pointing to a cautious comments from execs at a Financials industry conference are not helping. As of 8:00am ET, S&P futures are down 1% (and well off session lows hit shortly after the European open), with Nasdaq 100 futs down 1.3%; underperformance in the latter and the broader weakness in risk assets can be traced back to Palantir shares falling over 4% postmarket after earnings (they’re down almost 8% in premarket) while Mag7/Semi names slide down 1% - 3%, though staples are in the green. Sharp declines across various cryptocurrencies has also hampered sentiment as Bitcoin loses another 3% and drops below $104,000, a level first seen in December 2024. At a financial summit organized by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, several CEOs flagged pullback / correction risk while also flagging risks from valuation, a lack of AI ROI, and private credit. Meanwhile, as noted here yesterday, PLTR had a decent print but as JPMorgan writes today, it "trades at more than 300x its fwd multiple, illustrating the CEOs point on valuation. This comes at a time when several clients flagged the narrow breadth as a red flag for the mkt." Across assets, there is a global risk-off tone with bonds and USD bid, while all 3 commodity complexes are for sale, although oil is a notable laggard. Earnings from HC could trigger a further rotation towards defensive plays. 

In premarket trading, all Mag 7 stocks are lower (Tesla -2.4%, Nvidia -1.9%, Alphabet -1.6%, Amazon -1.3%, Meta Platforms -1.3%, Microsoft -0.6%, Apple -0.7%). 

  • Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) sinks 9% after the grain handler cut its adjusted earnings per share guidance for the full year. The firm also reported revenue for the third quarter that trailed the average analyst estimate.
  • Eaton Corp (ETN) falls 4% after the power-equipment company forecast adjusted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of $3.23 to $3.43, a range with a midpoint below what analysts expected. Net sales missed estimates in the third quarter.
  • Fabrinet (FN) rises 6% on light volume after fiscal first quarter results and second quarter guidance beat estimates.
  • Global Payments (GPN) rises 7% after posting quarterly results.
  • Insperity (NSP) sinks 27% after the professional services company cut its adjusted earnings per share guidance for the full year. The reduced outlook missed the average analyst estimate.
  • Norwegian Cruise (NCLH) falls 8% after the cruise operator reported revenue for the third quarter that missed the average analyst estimate.
  • Palantir Technologies (PLTR) falls 7%, taking a breather after rallying more than 170% this year. The data-analysis software company raised its full-year forecast and reported third-quarter results that beat expectations. While analysts are broadly positive on the report, they flag concerns over the stock’s premium valuation.
  • Paymentus Holdings (PAY) rises 9% after the online bill payment company provided fourth quarter guidance that topped estimates.
  • Sarepta (SRPT) tumbles 39% after the drugmaker says the study of Amondys 45 and Vyondys 53 in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy missed primary endpoint, raising questions about their future.
  • SunCoke Energy (SXC) rises 5% after narrowing its adjusted Ebitda guidance for the full year.
  • Uber Technologies Inc. (UBER) slips 3% after the company posted a miss on third-quarter operating income and issued an adjusted earnings forecast for the current period that also fell short of analysts’ estimates.
  • Upwork (UPWK) rises 19% after the online recruitment company reported third-quarter results that beat expectations and raised its full-year forecast. Analysts highlighted growth in gross services volume as a notable positive, with AI acting as a tailwind.
  • Whitestone REIT (WSR) climbs 15% as people familiar said MCB Real Estate is making a renewed push to acquire the company.
  • Yum! Brands Inc. (YUM) ticks 2% higher after initiating a strategic review for Pizza Hut, exploring options for the struggling chain.
  • Zoetis Inc. (ZTS) falls 7% after the animal health company cut its revenue guidance for the full year.

In corporate news, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund will vote against the $1 trillion pay package proposed for Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Starbucks agreed to sell a majority stake in its China business to Boyu Capital at a $4 billion enterprise value. Amazon alleged that a Berkshire Hathaway-owned utility in Oregon is failing to provide sufficient power for four new data center facilities.

Global risk slid after Palantir Technologies raised its annual revenue outlook to $4.4 billion and outpaced analyst estimates for third-quarter sales, yet its shares first jumped only to tumble on concerns about the company’s lofty valuation after a record run-up.

“On Palantir, there’s been quite a lot of ‘sell-on-the-news,’ particularly for stocks which had outperformed prior to their earnings,” said Karen Georges, a fund manager at Ecofi Investissements in Paris. “When you have lofty valuations, it’s really not surprising to see harsh market price action.”

Meanwhile, as we noted last night, Goldman calculates that CTAs will be small sellers of equities under every scenario over the coming week. At the same time, Wall Street CEOs are warning of a potential equity market drop. Capital Group’s CEO Mike Gitlin notes corporate earnings are strong but “what’s challenging are valuations,” and Morgan Stanley’s Ted Pick said markets have come a long way, but there’s still “policy error risk” in the US and geopolitical uncertainty. 

Besides the overnight tumble in global stocks, cryptocurrencies are also suffering, with both Bitcoin and Ether mimicking the moves in equity futures and gold is hitting the lows of the day to give this the air of a generalized slide. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index is at the highest level since early August. 

Also adding to the negative sentiment Tuesday was increased uncertainty over the Fed’s policy outlook. Officials presented mixed messages Monday, reflecting divisions within the central bank ahead of its December meeting. Austan Goolsbee emphasized persistent inflation risks, and said the government shutdown shifts risks to inflation, with lack of recent data leaving the central bank “with one eye covered.” Lisa Cook pointed to growing labor-market fragility. Mary Daly said policymakers should “keep an open mind” about another rate cut, and Stephen Miran noted that policy remains restrictive.

“It’s the Fed again,” said Anna Wu, a cross-asset strategist at Van Eck. “The inflation comment startled the markets and weighed on sentiment.”

For the tape to broaden sustainably, we’ll likely need clearer Fed policy visibility that reduces risk premiums across small-caps and cyclicals, evidence of further top-line firming outside AI or a soft landing with labor and inflation data putting stagflation fears to rest according to Bloomberg, whose equity strategists note small-cap stocks can’t shake the “big-cap shadow” as sector dispersion widened through October. 

Despite Tuesday’s losses, positioning on the S&P 500 remains bullish and extended, but with profit-taking risks less evident, according to Citigroup Inc. strategists. “We have the stock market trading at an all-time high, whether you look at the US or Europe,” Benedicte Lowe, equity derivatives strategist at BNP Paribas SA, told Bloomberg TV. “Any investor is looking for any signs of downward news. Our view remains bullish until the year-end.”

A quick look at earnings, Out of the 336 S&P 500 companies that have reported so far in the earnings season, 82% have managed to beat analyst forecasts, while 14% have missed. Apollo Global, Eaton, Global Payments, Marriott, Norwegian Cruise Line, Pfizer, Shopify, Spotify, Uber, Yum! Brands and Zoetis are among companies expected to report results before the market opens. Shopify will likely highlight several advances in key or emerging-growth avenues, including acquisition of large merchants and agentic commerce according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Earnings from AMD, Amgen, Arista, Live Nation, Pinterest, Rivian and Super Micro Computer follow later in the day.

Corporate earnings are strong but “what’s challenging are valuations,” said Mike Gitlin, president and chief executive officer of investment manager Capital Group, during the Hong Kong Monetary Authority financial summit. 

In Europe, the Stoxx 600 falls 1.6% following a broadly weaker Asian session. All 20 sectors are in the red but mining, retail and telecommunications are the worst performers. Telefonica is among the biggest laggards after reducing its free-cash-flow guidance for the full year. Here are the biggest movers Tuesday:

  • Coloplast shares rise as much as 3.4%, reversing an earlier 3% decline, after the Danish medical-products maker forecast organic revenue growth of about 7% for the 2026 fiscal year
  • Geberit gains as much as 3.7%, the most in almost three months, after the Swiss building materials firm increases its 2025 net sales guidance. Analysts expect this to translate into some minor uplift to consensus numbers
  • Philips shares rise as much as 3.9%, the most in more than three months, after the Dutch medical technology firm reported better-than-expected adjusted Ebita for the third quarter
  • Oerlikon rises as much as 9.1%, before paring some of those gains, after recording a beat on orders in the third quarter. While analysts welcome this strong order development for the Swiss industrial technology group
  • Elmos Semiconductor gains as much as 9.7%, the most since April, as Warburg says that third-quarter results came in slightly ahead of expectations
  • Wereldhave shares rise as much as 3.2% after the investment company posted strong results and raised the midpoint of its guidance, according to analysts
  • Kinepolis shares rise as much as 6.3% after the movie theater operator agreed to buy the operations of US firm Emagine Entertainment. Degroof Petercam said this is “clearly the first decent transaction” struck by the company
  • Telefonica shares slide as much as 11%, the most in more than five years, after the telecom operator reduced free cash flow guidance for 2025 while seeing a higher leverage ratio at the end of the year
  • BioMerieux slides as much as 4.1% after cutting its organic sales forecast for the full year, and delivering revenue below expectations in the third quarter, impacted mainly by worse-than-expected Molecular respiratory sales
  • Fresenius Medical Care shares drop as much as 6.5%, the most in roughly three months, after the German provider of dialysis care and equipment reported third-quarter results. US same market treatment grew 0.1% during the period
  • Schaeffler falls as much as 5.8%, with analysts saying valuation is starting to look stretched. The German firm’s results were seen in-line with a pre-release and brokers called increased momentum in humanoid activities supportive
  • AB Foods falls as much as 2.9% after the UK conglomerate reported earnings and said it is conducting a review that could lead to a separation of the Primark clothing retailer and its Food units
  • Domino’s Pizza Group shares fall as much as 2% in London, extending year-to-date losses, as analysts pointed to declining volumes in the company’s third-quarter trading update

Earlier in the session, Asian stocks declined, with South Korea leading the retreat, as traders sold some high-flying tech shares and parsed comments from Federal Reserve officials to gauge the outlook for interest rates. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped as much as 1%, its biggest intraday slump since October 17, with chipmakers Samsung Electronics and TSMC among the biggest drags. SK Hynix slipped after Korea’s exchange issued an investment caution on the stock after its big rally. Key gauges also declined in Australia, China and Taiwan. Risk-off sentiment comes after Fed official Austan Goolsbee said he’s more concerned about inflation than the labor market, spurring caution over the outlook for further rate cuts. With the MSCI Asian benchmark and other indexes around the region trading near record highs, traders have been hoping for supportive policy and comments to help extend the rallies. Stocks also fell in Hong Kong and India. Meanwhile, gauges in Vietnam and the Philippines rebounded as sentiment improves.

In FX, the yen is up 0.5% against the greenback and at the top of the G-10 FX leaderboard, boosted by haven demand as global equity markets decline. Some modest jawboning from the Japanese finance minister will have helped. The pound falls 0.5%, although its the kiwi and krone leading declines against the greenback.

In rates, treasuries gain, pushing US 10-year yields down 3 bps to 4.09%; US yields are richer by 2bp to 3bp across the curve with 5s30s spread wider by around 1bp. Gilts extended gains during a speech by Chancellor Reeves before fading. UK 10-year borrowing costs are down 3 bps. IG dollar issuance slate has four offerings so far. Monday’s volume was second-highest this year — $34.5 billion from 13 borrowers, led by Alphabet with an $17.5 billion eight-part offering. UK bonds outperformed their European peers after Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves signaled that further tax increases may be needed to achieve fiscal consolidation in this month’s budget, while stressing the importance of curbing inflation and keeping borrowing in check. The 10-year gilt yield fell two basis points to 4.41%, while the pound weakened as traders priced in a quicker pace of interest-rate cuts.

Today's economic calendar slate empty for the session as US government data continue to be postponed by shutdown that began Oct. 1. Fed speaker slate also blank after Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman spoke earlier on banking supervision and monetary policy

Market Snapshot

  • S&P 500 mini -1.2%
  • Nasdaq 100 mini -1.5%
  • Russell 2000 mini -1.6%
  • Stoxx Europe 600 -1.5%
  • DAX -1.7%
  • CAC 40 -1.6%
  • 10-year Treasury yield -3 basis points at 4.08%
  • VIX +2.9 points at 20.05
  • Bloomberg Dollar Index +0.2% at 1223.46
  • euro -0.1% at $1.1506
  • WTI crude -1.6% at $60.1/barrel

Top Overnight News

  • The outlines of a potential deal to end the [US government] shutdown are starting to take shape, although the talks are very fragile at this point and there’s still a long way to go: Punchbowl. 
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he was “optimistic” an agreement can be reached this week to end the five-week shutdown as bipartisan rank-and-file talks make progress. Politico
  • A string of alleged frauds by corporate borrowers is spurring a reckoning across Wall Street, sending bankers and investors scrambling to prevent future blowups. WSJ
  • Trump said he is going to ask the Transportation Secretary to take a look at terminating New York City congestion pricing, while he added it is highly unlikely that he will be contributing federal funds to NYC if Mamdani wins the mayoral race.
  • Insurers shopping for better credit ratings on their private credit assets are creating a “looming systemic risk” to global finance, the chair of UBS has warned. FT
  • China called on the US to avoid sensitive issues so that a trade truce can hold. Ambassador Xie Feng named Taiwan, democracy and human rights, China’s political system, and development rights as Beijing’s four red lines. BBG
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves declined to reiterate Labour’s manifesto commitment against broad-based tax hikes, as she made an unusual appeal to the British public to support her upcoming budget. BBG
  • China has increased subsidies that cut energy bills by up to half for some of the country’s largest data centers, as Beijing steps up efforts to boost its domestic chips industry and compete with the US. FT
  • South Korea’s headline inflation accelerated at a faster-than-expected pace to a 15-month high in October, lifted by higher prices for agricultural and livestock products. Inflation accelerated to +2.2% Y/Y in Oct (on a core basis), above the consensus forecast of +2% and up from +2% in Sept. WSJ
  • RBA left rates unchanged, as expected, and signaled unease with the recent rise in inflation (the RBA said it expects rates to stay at their present level for “a while”). RBA
  • Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said the government shutdown has left the Fed with “one eye covered,” forcing caution on rates. While he still sees room to ease, Goolsbee told Semafor he worries about “front-loading” cuts without more data. BBG
  • Wall Street seems unworried about the lackluster breadth of the equity market rally, despite parallels to the tech bubble of the late 1990s. The charge is increasingly led by a handful of tech companies, with the ratio of S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index to the S&P 500 at its lowest since 2003. BBG

Trade/Tariffs

  • US Treasury Secretary Bessent said he will be at the Supreme Court to emphasise the importance of tariffs, according to Fox News.
  • South Korea’s Industry Ministry said it is to expand financial and policy support for exporters facing US and EU steel tariffs, while South Korea will restructure the steel sector as the industry shows mounting signs of a crisis, and will also take pre-emptive steps to adjust production capacity in oversupplied products.
  • Panama Canal chief said reduction in world trade is likely next year amid economic slowdown and expects passage of LPG vessels to continue increasing, while the chief said Panama Canal’s market share of US LPG exports to Asia rising to more than 95% from 80% and that the long-term reservation system allocated more slots this time than in the previous edition.
  • Chinese Commerce Ministry says regarding Nexperia, that it urges the Dutch government to stop interfering company affairs, adds will resolutely safeguard rights and interests of firms. Dutch government has not demonstrated a constructive attitude and actions, and escalated the global supply chain crisis despite China's reasonable demands. Netherlands should bear the full responsibility of turmoil and chaos in the global semiconductor production and supply chain.

A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk

APAC stocks were mostly subdued following the mixed lead from Wall St, where the majority of sectors declined but tech outperformed amid strength in some of the mega-caps following deal announcements. ASX 200 was softer with the downside led by the utilities, materials, mining and resources industries, while participants also awaited the RBA decision in which the central bank kept the Cash Rate unchanged at 3.60%, as expected. Nikkei 225 swung between gains and losses with participants indecisive on return from the extended weekend and alongside a quiet calendar. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp were lacklustre amid quiet pertinent catalysts and after a report that Trump admin officials torpedoed NVIDIA's push to export AI chips to China. Nonetheless, the downside was limited amid a slew of comments from the Beijing officials at the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit in Hong Kong, including from the PBoC's Deputy Governor, who stated they will enhance Hong Kong's status as a global financial centre and will strengthen policy support.

Top Asian News

  • Chinese President Xi met with Russian PM Mishustin and said in the meeting that the sides should steadily expand mutual investment and maintain close communication, as well as create new cooperation growth points and cooperate in areas such as AI, digital economy and green development.
  • Chinese Vice Premier He said Hong Kong’s competitiveness and attractiveness prove the city thrives under the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework, while he added that Hong Kong will further enhance and improve its status as a global financial centre. He also stated that Hong Kong should strengthen cooperation with the mainland and hopes that Hong Kong will continue to play an active role in connecting the world and advancing global governance. Furthermore, he stated that the global economic environment has seen new challenges this year and it is important to deepen trade and economic activities with other countries.
  • PBoC Deputy Governor said will work to enhance Hong Kong's status as a global financial centre, and strengthen policy support.
  • China's Financial Regulator Vice Minister said Hong Kong-funded institutions will be supported to develop in the mainland, and they will continue to deepen the Connect programmes, while they will also prevent cross-border financial risks.
  • China reportedly offers its tech giants cheap power to boost domestic AI chips, according to FT.
  • Nintendo (7974 JT) 6-month Net Profit 198.94bln (prev. 108.66bln Y/Y); raises guidance, sees FY Op. Income JPY 370bln (prev. guided 320bln); sees FY Switch 2 Sales 19mln units; raises dividend payout ratio to 60% (prev. 50%).
  • Japan's Finance Minister Katayama says seeing one-sided rapid moves and closely watching FX moves with a high sense of urgency.

European bourses (STOXX 600 -1.6%) opened lower across the board, but without a clear driver. As the morning progressed, indices continued to slip and now generally reside at troughs. European sectors are in the red across the board but with a clear defensive bias. The shallowest losses are seen in Food Beverage, Real Estate, Utilities, Healthcare, and Optimised Personal Care Drug and Grocery. On the flip side, Basic Resources, Retail, Telecoms (due to losses in Telefonica), and Industrial Goods and Services at the foot of the pile.

Top European News

  • ECB's Rehn says uncertainty about future economic development remains high and risks are skewed downside.
  • French Socialist Party leader Faure said his party will give the government additional time to come up with a budget it deems acceptable before deciding whether to use its power in parliament to topple the administration, according to Bloomberg.
  • ECB's Rehn says uncertainty about future economic development remains high and risks are skewed downside.
  • ECB's Lagarde says currency changeovers can produce a temporary uptick in inflation.
  • SNB's Tschudin says monetary policy is aimed at ensuring price stability. SNB interest rates are where they should be and will only use negative rates when necessary. The value of the Franc is not decisive for the monetary policy of the SNB. Important on how the exchange rate changes and its effect on inflation. Not in a situation where we would like to see lower inflation.
  • UK Chancellor Reeves' Pre-Budget Speech: says will make choices necessary to deliver strong foundations for UK economy; important choices that will shape the future of UK for years to come; Inflation has been too slow to come down. Commitment to fiscal rules is iron clad. The more debt UK tries to sell, the more it will cost. Note, Reeves did not mention the manifesto pledges around taxation during this introductory speech.
  • UK PM Starmer informed Labour MPs at a private meeting that the budget would be determined by "tough but fair decisions", adding that the backdrop to the fiscal update was "worse than even we feared". The article frames it as increasing speculation of income tax rises, by Starmer saying they would reject austerity and protect the NHS. (FT)

FX

  • DXY is on a slightly firmer footing and trades at the upper end of a 99.73-100.04 range, reclaiming the 100.00 mark for the first time since early August. Lack of notable newsflow in recent trade, but with traders remaining attentive of the mixed views held at the Fed and the ongoing US Government shutdown. Today's docket will provide little in the way of additional clues. However, tomorrow markets will be presented by the latest ADP employment change and ISM services print. Note, tomorrow will see the commencement of the hearing on the legality of US President Trump's Reciprocal Tariff Policy. After a venture above the 100 mark, DXY has since moved back to flat levels around the 99.90 mark.
  • EUR/USD is a little lower today and trades within a 1.1499-1.1533 range. As above, really not much newsflow driving things today, and ultimately moving at the whim of the USD. This morning ECB commentary has not really moved things for the Single-currency; Rehn highlighted the uncertainty about future economic development, noting that inflation risks are two-sided, whilst Lagarde said currency changeovers can produce a temporary uptick in inflation. Within the Eurozone, attention remains on French politics with the Socialist Party giving the government additional time to come up with a budget it deems acceptable.
  • JPY is the best performer across the majors as Japanese investors return from the long weekend. The bid in the JPY is being driven by a combination of the risk-aversion in the market triggered by selling in global equities and ongoing jawboning from Japanese officials with Finance Minister cautioning against one-sided rapid moves and noting that she is closely watching FX moves with a high sense of urgency. USD/JPY hit a new multi-month high overnight at 154.48 before slipping onto a 153 handle and making a current session low at 153.34.
  • GBP is on the backfoot vs. the USD and EUR with attention in the UK fixated on the fiscal backdrop following a pre-budget press conference by UK Chancellor Reeves. Politically for Reeves, the issue is that in her election manifesto she vowed to "not increase National Insurance, the basic, higher, or additional rates of Income Tax, or VAT”. The mood music in recent weeks has suggested that it is inevitable this pledge will need to be broken. As such, Reeves used today as an opportunity to pitch roll such a decision. That being said, Reeves stopped shy of confirming that the manifesto will be broken and refrained from unveiling specific policy pledges. The negativity surrounding Reeves remarks has weighed on the GBP with Cable back below the 1.31 mark and at its lowest level since mid-April with a current session trough at 1.3060.
  • Antipodeans are both weaker vs. the USD primarily on account of the broad risk-aversion triggered by selling in global equity markets. AUD has also digested the latest RBA policy announcement, which was overall leaned hawkishly. As expected, the RBA opted to keep rates unchanged on hold following last week's hotter-than-expected outturn for Q3 inflation. Within the release, the RBA noted that some of the factors driving the upside were deemed to be temporary. However, markets have focused on the RBA's forecast, which sees just one cut in 2026 vs. the two seen in August.

Fixed Income

  • Gilts are outperforming vs peers today, attributed to a speech by the UK Chancellor; more-so on the reports pre-presser rather than any announcement itself. In brief, the Chancellor reiterated her fiscal policy stance, but avoided reiterating her tax related pledges. An omission that has been interpreted as confirming the pre-market briefings regarding the likely manifesto breaking tax increase(s). Her press conference then began and saw her avoid questions around policy specifics and the manifesto pledges. Overall, the main takeaway being she has, as expected, laid the foundation for tax increases in the Budget. In terms of price action, Gilts held around 93.70 into the presser, before then rising as she spoke to a session peak of 93.98; UK paper then scaled back down to pre-presser levels. Elsewhere, 2029 Gilt supply was well received with a b/c in excess of 3x and a smaller-than-prior tail. No move to the results.
  • USTs are firmer, posting gains of a handful of ticks into a session largely devoid of data owing to the shutdown with just RCM/Tipp optimism due. Prior to that, Fed’s Bowman is scheduled though the topic is banking supervision; Bowman hasn’t spoken on policy since mid-October, where she outlined a view for two more cuts before end-2025. Upside this morning that was spurred by a deterioration in the risk tone, as sentiment drifted during the early European morning and into the European cash equity open itself. No fresh catalyst at the time behind the pullback, but it continued the subdued APAC tone and Wall St. handover where sectors ex-tech ended in the red. At a 112-28+ peak, eclipsing Friday’s high by a tick and notching a new WTD peak. As such, we look to 112-29+ from last Thursday and then a gap before last week’s 113-18 best.
  • Bunds are also firmer with the narrative echoing the above. Bunds hit a 129.35 peak just before the European cash equity open and thereafter moved in tandem with Gilts and pulled back to around the mid-point of the day’s 129.09-35 band. More recently, as tone deteriorates as discussed in USTs, Bunds have reverted back to and are probing the earlier peak. If this is eclipsed, we look to 129.46 from Friday before resistance from early last week between 129.62, 129.64 and 129.73. A tepid Schatz outing thereafter had no impact on the benchmark.

Commodities

  • Crude benchmarks have been weighed on by the overall risk-off sentiment seen across markets as the European session got underway. After oscillating in a tight c. USD 0.20/bbl range during the APAC session, WTI and Brent extended on Monday’s low at USD 60.51/bbl and 64.33/bbl respectively to a trough of USD 59.94/bbl and USD 63.44/bbl as global risk sentiment sours.
  • Spot XAU continues to oscillate within range formed over the prior 5 days, despite a wider risk-off theme running through markets during APAC trade and into the European session. XAU dipped to a trough of USD 3967/oz as the APAC session ended before a slight bounce to the key USD 4k/oz level.
  • Base metals continue to fall following the tech-led equity selloff in global benchmarks. 3M LME Copper peaked at USD 10.86k/t early in APAC trade before extending on last week’s low at USD 10.81k/t to a trough of USD 10.65k/t. Currently, the red metal is oscillating in a USD 70/t band near the lows of the day.
  • OPEC+ decision on Sunday to keep oil output targets steady in Q1 came after Russia lobbied for the pause because it would struggle to increase exports due to Western sanctions, according to Reuters citing sources.
  • Libya's Oil Minister says there is a target to increase oil output to 2mln BPD (currently c. 1.4mln) in the next five years; looking at 1.6mln BPD in 2026 and then 1.8mln BPD in 2027.
  • Iraq PM orders a pause on imports of gasoline, kerosene and "White Oil", via State News Agency.
  • Shanghai Futures Exchange is to adjust transaction fees for cast aluminium alloy and offset printing paper futures and options products from the close of trading on November 7th.

Geopolitics: Middle East

  • Palestinian media reported that IDF vehicles fired at areas in the Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, according to Sky News Arabia.
  • "Iranian government spokeswoman: We will never move towards building a nuclear bomb", according to Sky News Arabia.

Geopolitics: Ukraine

  • Blast at a petrochemical plant in Russia's Bashkortostan caused the partial collapse of a workshop, according to TASS.
  • Russia says it struck civilian energy and port infrastructure in a large-scale attack on Ukraine's Odesa region overnight, according to the regional governor.

Geopolitics: Other

  • Peru's Foreign Minister announced that the country decided to break diplomatic relations with Mexico, due to Mexico's unfriendly act of starting a process to grant asylum to former PM Betssy Chavez.

US Event Calendar

  • 8:30 am: Sep Trade Balance, est. -64.13b
  • 10:00 am: Sep JOLTS Job Openings, est. 7130k, prior 7227k
  • 10:00 am: Sep Factory Orders
  • 10:00 am: Sep F Durable Goods Orders
  • 10:00 am: Sep F Durables Ex Transportation
  • 10:00 am: Sep F Cap Goods Orders Nondef Ex Air
  • 10:00 am: Sep F Cap Goods Ship Nondef Ex Air

DB's Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap

Markets have started November with familiar themes, with the S&P 500 (+0.17%) managing to see a gain yesterday but with the Magnificent 7 (+1.18%) and the S&P 500 ex-Mag-7 (-0.30%) diverging once again. The main driver was yet another AI deal, this time Amazon’s with OpenAI. The equal-weighted S&P 500 (-0.30%) fell back as investors weighted up weak data, hawkish Fedspeak, and a government shutdown that’s now the joint-longest in history and at midnight tonight will be the longest. US politics will also be in the spotlight today for other reasons, as we’ve got the New York City mayoral election, as well as gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. It feels like a mini mid-term in the first half term of this Presidency.

Overnight we are seeing a bit more negativity take over after Palantir fell more than -4% after hours. Their results were good but markets were disappointed at the lack of company visibility for the whole of 2026. As Bloomberg shows, the company has the highest price to sales in the S&P 500 at 85, and the stock is up more than 150% this year. For reference, the index has a price to sales ratio of around 3.5. Nasdaq futures are -0.85% this morning and S&P futures -0.59%. Asian markets are mostly lower as we'll see below.

In terms of the various drivers in markets yesterday, a weak ISM manufacturing print didn’t help matters - outside of tech which marches to its own drum - particularly because the government shutdown and lack of data is heightening the importance of the limited data we’re still getting. The headline measure unexpectedly fell back to 48.7 in October (vs. 49.5 expected and 49.1 previous). Subcomponents for employment (46.0) and new orders (49.4) did see a tick up but also remained in contractionary territory. So there really wasn’t much to reassure investors on the outlook, particularly given this is one of the early stats we have that covers Q4 and the government shutdown.

In the meantime, US Treasuries were also struggling thanks to some hawkish Fedspeak. In particular, Chicago Fed President Goolsbee (a voter this year) said that he was “not decided” about the December meeting, and that he was “nervous about the inflation side of the ledger, where you’ve seen inflation above the target for four and a half years and it’s trending the wrong way.” Daly later said that they should "keep an open mind" ahead of the December FOMC. Our economists had pegged her as an official who would have likely supported a cut next month. Fed Governor Cook did say that downside risks to employment were higher than upside risks to inflation, but stopped short of endorsing a cut for December’s “live meeting”. So all this added to Powell’s comments last week that brought a December cut into question, and yields moved higher across the curve. For instance, the 2yr yield (+3.1bps) moved up to 3.61%, whilst the 10yr yield (+3.3bps) rose to 4.11%. We did hear from Governor Miran as well yesterday, but he stuck to his view that the Fed “is too restrictive”, having voted for a larger 50bp cut at last week’s meeting.

All this meant that non-tech equities failed to gain traction as mentioned at the top. The gains were driven by Amazon’s (+4.00%) deal with OpenAI, who are going to pay Amazon Web Services for Nvidia chips in a 7-year deal. Nvidia (+2.17%) and Tesla (+2.59%) also outperformed and Alphabet (+0.90%) reached a new all-time high. But otherwise, it wasn’t a great day, as the equal-weighted S&P 500 (-0.30%) and the small-cap Russell 2000 (-0.33%) both fell, with materials (-0.62%) and consumer staples (-0.47%) sectors leading the declines within the S&P.

In the credit space, US IG spreads were +4bps wider on the day to 82bps. That’s their widest level since early July, albeit still only 10bps from recent multi-decade lows. The credit sell off came even as the Fed’s latest quarterly Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS) suggested that earlier tightness in bank credit conditions was easing. Banks’ willingness to extend consumer loans inched up to its highest since 2022 (+7 net vs +5 previous), while demand for mortgages grew for the first time since 2021. With the SLOOS arguing against downside for US growth, our rates strategists have re-entered a short position on 10yr Treasuries with a target of 4.45%

Asian equity markets are lower this morning after Palantir's results. The KOSPI (-2.17%) is leading the sell-off, followed by the S&P/ASX 200 (-0.91%), Nikkei (-0.77%), the CSI (-0.54%), the Shanghai Composite (-0.34%), and the Hang Seng (-0.17%) all of which are lower, along with US equity futures. The RBA has left rates unchanged for the second consecutive meeting, as widely expected. 10yr USTs are a basis point lower.

Back to Europe yesterday, markets had followed a broadly similar pattern to the US, with subdued equity gains alongside losses for sovereign bonds. So the STOXX 600 (+0.07%) eked out a modest gain, ending a run of 4 consecutive declines from last week. That came amidst losses for the UK’s FTSE 100 (-0.16%) and France’s CAC 40 (-0.14%) which contrasted with stronger gains for the German DAX (+0.73%) as industrial sectors outperformed led by a +4.23% gain for Rheinmetall. Meanwhile for sovereign bonds, Europe saw similar losses as the US, with yields on 10yr bunds (+3.4bps), OATs (+2.3bps) and BTPs (+2.7bps) all rising.

To the day ahead now, and central bank speakers include ECB President Lagarde, the ECB’s Patsalides, Escriva, Rehn, and Nagel, the Fed’s Bowman and the BoE’s Breeden. Otherwise, earnings releases include Uber and Pfizer. Meanwhile, several US elections are taking place, including the New York City mayoral election, and gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 08:39

Novo Roundtrips GLP-1 Craze Ahead Of Earnings As Goldman Maps Out Next Wave Of Obesity-Drug Catalysts

Novo Roundtrips GLP-1 Craze Ahead Of Earnings As Goldman Maps Out Next Wave Of Obesity-Drug Catalysts

The rollercoaster ride of the GLP-1 craze and bust cycle for Novo Nordisk A/S shares has been wild to observe over the last several years. The stock has since returned to roughly pre-GLP-1-boom levels, down 50% year-to-date amid intensifying obesity-drug competition and a series of profit downgrades.

New Novo CEO Maziar Mike Doustdar will deliver his first set of results as the new head of the Danish pharma company on Wednesday with the reporting of third-quarter earnings. 

Already, Novo has slashed 9,000 jobs globally and cut its profit forecast for the third time this year. 

"Since the new CEO took the helm, early signs indicate a more aggressive approach," Berenberg analyst Kerry Holford recently told clients, adding that the board reshuffle creates more unexpected disruption, "change at Novo is necessary and may ultimately be a net positive."

Paul Major, a portfolio manager at Bellevue Asset Management, told Bloomberg, "The shares have been under pressure all year. It will be interesting to hear what he's got to say, what he thinks the priorities are, because that's going to tell us why the board thought he was the right person for the job."

All Doustdar needs now is to present a solid turnaround plan to convince investors that he's plugged the holes and stopped the ship from sinking any further.

Despite the steep selloff, Wall Street remains broadly optimistic, with about 56% of analysts rating the stock a "Buy," 12% "Neutral," and just 6% "Sell." The average 12-month price target implies 37% upside from current levels.

Besides Novo, there's a lot more happening in the obesity space. Goldman Sachs analysts, led by Corinne Johnson, provided clients with a comprehensive breakdown of the upcoming stock-moving developments across Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and other players in the sector.

Professional subscribers can find the full note at our new Marketdesk.ai portal.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 08:25

Novo Roundtrips GLP-1 Craze Ahead Of Earnings As Goldman Maps Out Next Wave Of Obesity-Drug Catalysts

Novo Roundtrips GLP-1 Craze Ahead Of Earnings As Goldman Maps Out Next Wave Of Obesity-Drug Catalysts

The rollercoaster ride of the GLP-1 craze and bust cycle for Novo Nordisk A/S shares has been wild to observe over the last several years. The stock has since returned to roughly pre-GLP-1-boom levels, down 50% year-to-date amid intensifying obesity-drug competition and a series of profit downgrades.

New Novo CEO Maziar Mike Doustdar will deliver his first set of results as the new head of the Danish pharma company on Wednesday with the reporting of third-quarter earnings. 

Already, Novo has slashed 9,000 jobs globally and cut its profit forecast for the third time this year. 

"Since the new CEO took the helm, early signs indicate a more aggressive approach," Berenberg analyst Kerry Holford recently told clients, adding that the board reshuffle creates more unexpected disruption, "change at Novo is necessary and may ultimately be a net positive."

Paul Major, a portfolio manager at Bellevue Asset Management, told Bloomberg, "The shares have been under pressure all year. It will be interesting to hear what he's got to say, what he thinks the priorities are, because that's going to tell us why the board thought he was the right person for the job."

All Doustdar needs now is to present a solid turnaround plan to convince investors that he's plugged the holes and stopped the ship from sinking any further.

Despite the steep selloff, Wall Street remains broadly optimistic, with about 56% of analysts rating the stock a "Buy," 12% "Neutral," and just 6% "Sell." The average 12-month price target implies 37% upside from current levels.

Besides Novo, there's a lot more happening in the obesity space. Goldman Sachs analysts, led by Corinne Johnson, provided clients with a comprehensive breakdown of the upcoming stock-moving developments across Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and other players in the sector.

Professional subscribers can find the full note at our new Marketdesk.ai portal.

Tyler Durden Tue, 11/04/2025 - 08:25

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