US Daily Equity Opening News - MU edges higher after results/guidance; Huawei plans smartphone price hikes; SNPS guides above expectations; GOOG unveils Gemini 4 Argon AI model; TCEHY signs USD 7bln ORCL data centre lease

DAY AHEAD:

• EVENTS: US President Trump will deliver remarks at 19:00EDT/00:00BST. French Budget draft to be released.
• DATA: US ISM manufacturing PMI is expected to see the headline inch up to 55.0 (prev. 54.6), with prices up to 72.3 (prev. 71.1), new orders at 53.9 (prev. 53.7), and employment at 51.5 (prev. 51.2). Weekly initial jobless claims are seen ticking up to a still-low 200K (prev. 197K), while continuing claims are seen rising to 1,730K (prev. 1,720K). The monthly Challenger job cuts data is expected to print 78.0K (prev. 52.881K). Elsewhere, construction spending is due (prev. -0.5% M/M). After today’s data, the Atlanta Fed will update its Q3 GDPNow tracking estimate (prev. 3.7%).
• CENTRAL BANKS: There is a dense central bank slate around the Future of Money conference: ECB President Lagarde speaks twice (on ESRB’s 15th anniversary and on the EU financial system); ECB’s Schnabel will speak on the Future of Money; ECB’s Cipollone will speak on single market payments; ECB’s Machado speaks (text released). BoE Governor Bailey gives opening remarks; BoE chief economist Pill chairs a panel; BoE’s Mann will speak at an event hosted by Nomura. Today’s Fedspeak includes: Fed’s Barkin (2027 voter), Collins (2028 voter), Schmid (2028 voter) speak jointly; Fed Vice Chair Jefferson (voter) will give remarks on the policy outlook; Fed Governor Waller will speak on Fed economic data; Fed Governor Bowman will give remarks on financial regulation; Fed Governor Cook and Fed’s Williams (voter) speak on global central banking; Fed’s Logan (2026 voter) is also due to speak today. In Canada, BoC’s Rogers addresses the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Elsewhere, Riksbank’s Jansson on the economic situation and Swedish monetary policy.
• SUPPLY: France auctions EUR 10–12bln of 2036, 2037, 2038 and 2048 debt; Spain sells EUR 4.5–5.5bln of 2029, 2036 and 2046, alongside EUR 0.25–0.75bln of 2036 linkers. US announces sizes for next week’s 3s, 10s, and 30s auctions.
• ENERGY: EIA reports weekly natural gas stocks change (prev. +53bcf).
• EARNINGS: Notable corporate earnings reports due today include: Accenture (ACN), Nike (NKE), McCormick (MKC).

GEOPOLITICS:

• US-Iran - US President Trump said developments regarding Iran would occur “very soon”, the US had almost total control of the Strait of Hormuz, and gasoline prices would fall when the war ends. Secretary of State Rubio demanded Iran’s UN delegation leave after talks stalled, according to Axios. A White House official said a US-Iran deal remained possible and could resolve the confrontation imminently. Iranian officials said they had received an official US response to Iran’s latest proposal to end the war but did not disclose its contents or whether it constituted a rejection, according to NYP.
• UK-Iran - Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi rejected UK PM Burnham’s accusations linking Tehran to an alleged security incident at Fairford Airbase.
• US-Taiwan, China - US officials increasingly view a Chinese invasion of Taiwan before 2028 as unlikely, citing PLA readiness delays and Beijing’s interest in Taiwan’s 2028 election, Reuters reports. Officials said China may consider force more seriously from 2028, while the 2027 benchmark remains a military-readiness goal rather than a confirmed invasion timetable.

TRADE:

• US-South Korea - President Trump said the US and South Korea agreed to launch USD 200bln of new US investments under a USD 350bln bilateral trade and investment deal. He cited a USD 120bln nuclear programme, USD 50bln Alaska LNG project and USD 22bln, 6.4GW Texas gas-fired power project.
• EU Steel Exports - EU steel exports fell 20%, with US-bound shipments down 29% in H1 2026, as high energy costs, US tariffs and Chinese oversupply weighed on competitiveness, FT reports. EU raw steel output fell 3% in 2025 and 1% in the first five months of 2026. Trade measures have supported a modest recovery.

MACRO:

• Fedspeak - Fed’s Kashkari (2026 voter) said inflation remains too high at around 3%, and recent data did not change that assessment. He said economic resilience raises questions over how restrictive policy is, and suggested that the neutral rate may be higher. Kashkari pencilled in one more hike this year and another next year, while stressing inflation must return to 2%. Fed’s Goolsbee (2027 voter) said there is a record gap between weak consumer sentiment and stronger spending data. He said sentiment has become a less informative indicator of economic growth.
• BoJ Tankan - Japan’s Q3 Tankan showed mixed business sentiment, with large manufacturers at 24 (exp. 25; prev. 22) and large non-manufacturers at 35 (exp. 36; prev. 37). Large manufacturing outlook was 21 (exp. 22), non-manufacturing outlook 30 (exp. 30), and large all-industry capex 11.3% (exp. 12.3%). Analysts said that the mixed performance takes some pressure off the BoJ for an immediate October hike, with inflation expectations elevated but not accelerating; however, the survey still supports the case for further rate increases ahead.
• China Fiscal - China FinMin Lan Foan is considering additional targeted fiscal policies to meet China’s 2026 growth target. Measures under study include broader interest subsidies, higher funding limits and use of unused local government bond quotas. Policymakers aim to support demand and investment without broad fiscal expansion amid weakening economic momentum.
• ECB - The ECB has reportedly asked the EU to begin finding a successor to Isabel Schnabel, who is due to leave on 3rd January 2027. President Lagarde is also speculated to step down in early 2027 ahead of schedule, while Chief Economist Philip Lane is due to depart in May 2027.
• UK National Savings & Investments - The UK raised GBP 2.2bln via National Savings & Investments in the first five months of FY26/27, well below its GBP 15bln FY target, Bloomberg reports. The shortfall could increase gilt issuance needs, the report says.
• BoE - Governor Bailey warned that the AI investment boom could cause financial market shocks and asset-price corrections, BBC reports. He said AI has significant growth potential but carries substantial risks, with markets currently pricing many companies as winners. Bailey said the BoE is monitoring the sector closely and wants the financial system resilient to possible shocks.
• Eurozone Budget - European Commission officials will present member states with examples of reforms, investments and outputs and discuss regional aspects of the EU budget, Politico reports. The proposed system would give the Commission greater control, combine agriculture, regional and migration spending into national NRPP funding pots, and potentially tie payments to economic reform milestones.
• French Budget - France will present a EUR 54bln fiscal package targeting a 2027 deficit of 5% of GDP (vs 5.4% in 2026); measures include savings on pensions, public sector wages and sick leave, alongside extending a tax on large companies.

TECH:

• Micron Technology (MU) - Micron shares edged higher in afterhours trading as strong quarterly results and upbeat guidance underscored robust AI-driven memory demand, although expected margin compression and higher operating expenses limited the reaction. Q4 adj. EPS 33.42 (exp. 31.49), Q4 revenue USD 54.229bln (exp. 50.92bln). Adj. gross margin was 87.0% (exp. 86.2%), Cloud Memory revenue USD 16.28bln (exp. 15.14bln), Mobile & Client revenue USD 13.11bln (exp. 12.95bln) and Automotive & Embedded revenue USD 6.82bln (exp. 4.73bln). Customer commitments under long-term supply agreements rose to USD 32bln from USD 22bln in June, while remaining performance obligations increased to about USD 150bln from roughly USD 100bln last quarter. Management expects memory and storage supply-demand conditions to be materially tighter in FY27 and FY28, with most FY27 HBM output already covered by agreements. Sees Q1 adj. EPS 38.15 (exp. 35.40), Q1 revenue USD 61.5bln (exp. 57.024bln) and adj. gross margin 85.95% (exp. 87.0%). Sees Q1 capex around USD 11.5bln, and H1 FY27 capex of USD 25bln, with higher capex expected in H2 FY27; operating expenses are expected to increase by about USD 2.5bln in FY27.
• Huawei, Smartphones - Huawei plans moderate smartphone price increases as rising memory costs pressure profitability, Bloomberg reports. Consumer chief Richard Yu said average smartphone costs rose by about USD 200. Huawei expects premium devices to provide resilience.
• Samsung Electronics (SSNLF) - Elliott Investment Management won about USD 113mln from South Korea over intervention in a National Pension Service vote on a Samsung group merger, Bloomberg reports. An international tribunal found South Korea breached its free-trade agreement with the US and caused Elliott losses.
• Microsoft (MSFT) - The European Commission has introduced Element Pro, a self-hosted backup to Microsoft Teams, but some officials criticised its usefulness and performance, according to Politico. The rollout supports the EU’s digital-sovereignty push by reducing reliance on US technology. Element CEO Matthew Hodgson said the system remains in trial and acknowledged possible early issues.
• Synopsys (SNPS) - FY27 adj. EPS seen between 19.04-19.12 (exp. 17.69), FY27 revenue between USD 11.1-11.2bln (exp. 10.8bln). Sees FY27 free cash flow USD 3.1bln, and capex of USD 500mln. Intends to repurchase approximately USD 1bln of shares over the coming months, subject to market conditions, and expects to return up to 50% of free cash flow to shareholders via buybacks. For FY26-FY30, targets revenue growth in the mid-teens, adj. EPS growth in the mid-20% range, and free cash flow growth in the mid-20% range.
• Infineon Technologies (IFNNY) - Infineon Technologies sees potential to manufacture semiconductors in Thailand after investing THB 48bln to expand assembly and packaging operations, Bloomberg reports. COO said wafer fabrication could follow, though not within three years.
• Anthropic, AI Risks - Tech executives including Nvidia’s (NVDA) Jensen Huang privately questioned Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei over his public AI risk warnings, WSJ reports. Amodei argued companies should be candid about model capabilities and dangers. The exchange highlighted tensions within the industry over AI safety and self-regulation despite agreement on voluntary safety principles.
• OpenAI - OpenAI agents obscured hacking activity during breaches of government websites, according to findings from Asymmetric Security cited by the FT.
• Nokia (NOK) - Nokia and Iceye plan to build secure European satellite communications systems for defence and security, with up to 50 low-Earth-orbit satellites launched annually from 2028.

COMMUNICATIONS:

• Alphabet (GOOG) - Alphabet unveiled Gemini 4 Argon, its most advanced AI model, with improvements in coding, cybersecurity and professional tasks. Google said Argon is already improving data centre memory efficiency and will roll out first to trusted cybersecurity partners while undergoing US government safety evaluations before a broader public launch. Bloomberg said Google is facing internal scepticism over the Gemini 4 Argon model, with some employees saying strong benchmark scores overstate its real world performance, particularly in coding. Some insiders believe OpenAI and Anthropic are improving faster, while others say Gemini 4 is at the frontier. Google disputes claims that the model underperforms.
• Tencent (TCEHY), Oracle (ORCL) - Tencent signed a 5yr Oracle data centre lease giving access to about 100K advanced AI chips, in a deal estimated at USD 7bln, FT reports. The agreement contributed to Tencent’s first negative quarterly free cash flow in over a decade, while Q2 CapEx rose 176% to CNY 53bln amid higher AI infrastructure spending, the article notes.
• Paramount Skydance (PSKY), Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) - Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery expect their merger to close on 6th October, subject to customary closing conditions; it named Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO of the anticipated merged company. Elsewhere, Paramount Skydance priced USD 41.4bln and EUR 885mln of senior secured notes plus USD 8.5bln and EUR 850mln of Term Loan B financing to help fund its Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition and refinance debt.
• Take-Two (TTWO), Microsoft (MSFT) - Take-Two and Microsoft entered a new long-term Xbox Publisher License Agreement, effective 17th September. The agreement replaces existing Xbox publisher licences, covers development and sale of Xbox-compatible products, sets payment, approval, fee and royalty terms, and allows termination for material breach or insolvency.
• Netflix (NFLX) - Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the company is not growing as quickly as he wants. Engagement rose 2% in the latest period while revenue grew at double-digit rates across every region. Netflix is expanding live programming, theatrical releases and AI use, while Sarandos said future growth should remain primarily organic. Elsewhere, Citrini Research’s Jukan noted that OpenAI’s GPT could remove watermarks surprisingly easily, and also cited an example of someone using ChatGPT to remove Netflix’s DRM.
• Rogers Corporation (ROG) - Sees FY28 EPS of USD 5.50-6.50 and revenue of USD 1.0bln-1.1bln. CEO said the company expects significant revenue growth, margin expansion and earnings improvement through 2030, supported by its core markets, targeted high-growth opportunities, capabilities and customer relationships.

ENERGY:

• US Diesel Exports - President Trump said a US diesel export ban remains under consideration but acknowledged advisers’ warnings that it could raise gasoline and other fuel prices, Politico reports. Energy Secretary Wright said the administration and European governments would soon announce alternative measures aimed at lowering diesel prices. Elsewhere, the US reportedly told France and Germany to release emergency diesel stocks or face a possible export ban; a source said Washington wants the EU to release 120mln barrels of diesel over the next six months.
• China Fuel Exports - Chinese refiners suspended fuel exports beyond Hong Kong and Macau until further notice after the Golden Week holiday, Reuters reports. PetroChina cancelled most gasoline and jet fuel cargoes planned for October as Beijing seeks to safeguard domestic supplies.

INDUSTRIALS:

• SpaceX (SPCX) - SpaceXAI is considering unified subscription pricing for Grok and X across four tiers, Bloomberg reports. Plans range from a free tier with tighter Grok limits to a USD 100 monthly Ultra plan including Grok Bot. A USD 8 monthly Lite plan would include Grok access, an X verification checkmark and fewer ads.
• Boeing (BA) - Ethiopian Airlines ordered eight Boeing 777-8 Freighters and two 777 Freighters. The order is its second for the 777X family, following its purchase of eight 777-9 passenger jets. Ethiopian Airlines plans to use the aircraft to expand its Boeing freighter fleet, global network and international freight operations.
• RTX (RTX) - Raytheon Missiles and Defence, part of RTX, was awarded a USD 511.5mln US Navy contract modification to exercise options and purchase spares for production of the AN/SPY-6(V) radar family and associated hardware.
• L3Harris Technologies (LHX) - L3Harris was awarded a USD 461.9mln firm-fixed-price US Air Force contract to provide commercial satellite communications connectivity for designated executive airlift aircraft.
• BAE Systems (BAESY) - BAE Land & Armaments was awarded a USD 230.1mln firm-fixed-price US Navy contract modification for amphibious combat vehicles. The previously awarded contract could reach a total value of USD 4.1bln if all options are exercised.

MATERIALS:

• Rio Tinto (RIO) - Rio Tinto, the Tasmanian Government and Australian Government agreed arrangements to keep Bell Bay Aluminium operating through 31st December 2031. Hydro Tasmania will continue supplying electricity until then, while both governments will provide additional support intended to maintain the operation’s international competitiveness and contribution to Tasmania’s economy.
• • Glencore (GLNCY) - Glencore is considering Venezuelan coal deals, and is working with Peabody Energy on a possible offer for assets in Zulia state.

UTILITIES:

• Constellation Energy (CEG), Amazon (AMZN) - Constellation and Amazon signed a 20yr agreement supporting more than USD 3bln of investment at Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant, including 190MW of new capacity coming online between 2030 and 2032. The deal covers 690MW of power and supports relicensing the plant for another 20yrs.
• NextEra Energy (NEE) - The US Department of Commerce and Republic of Korea selected Related Companies and NextEra Energy Resources, with Lewis Energy Group, to develop Project Star, a USD 22bln-plus energy campus in Texas. The project will provide 6.47GW of generation capacity, support a privately funded 5GW Related Digital data centre campus and supply excess power to the grid.

FINANCIALS:

• UBS Group (UBS) - Artisan Partners urged UBS to leave Switzerland over stricter capital rules, calling the country unattractive; UBS reaffirmed its commitment to operating globally from Switzerland.
• Apollo Global Management (APO) - Apollo will provide financing for a more than USD 15bln AI infrastructure project in Japan involving RHAELM Holdings, Jera and Dell Technologies (DELL), Bloomberg reports. The Chiba project will cover land, power infrastructure, construction and computing, with operations expected around 2028 and 400MW of electricity supplied by Jera.
• Ares Management (ARES) - Ares Management is funding a USD 2bln debt facility for Phoenix Tower International as part of a broader USD 6.5bln financing package, Bloomberg reports. The package will consolidate existing loans and support growth.
• UniCredit (UNCRY), Commerzbank (CRZBY), Deutsche Bank (DB) - UniCredit is considering Deutsche Bank executive Michael Diederich as a potential successor to Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp, Handelsblatt reports citing sources. Diederich previously led UniCredit’s German unit HVB, but sources said a move appears unlikely.
• BNP Paribas (BNPQY) - BNP Paribas is entering the Nordic wealth-management market and appointed Stina Norrhede as regional head, Bloomberg reports. The expansion will begin in Stockholm, with additional hires planned by year-end.
• Binance - EU regulators are questioning Binance over its continued service to customers through “reverse solicitation” after it failed to secure a MiCA licence and was ordered to wind down EU operations, FT reports. ESMA and national regulators are examining whether the exemption is being used appropriately, with possible enforcement action including fines.

CONSUMER CYCLICAL:

• Toyota (TM) - Toyota will invest USD 1.3bln to develop a fully electrified vehicle plant in Zarate, Argentina. The project is expected to generate USD 1.28bln of annual exports, with about 70% of output for overseas markets, and create more than 3,600 construction jobs and over 2,600 direct and indirect operational jobs.
• Nio (NIO) - NIO delivered 37,408 vehicles in September (+7.7% Y/Y), and 109,178 in Q3 (+25.4% Y/Y). Deliveries in the first nine months reached 300,301 (+49.2% Y/Y), while cumulative deliveries totalled 1.298mln as of end-September.
• XPeng (XPEV) - XPeng delivered 41,256 vehicles in September (+5% M/M), and 118,390 in Q3 (+15% Q/Q). September deliveries of the XPeng L03 exceeded 10K units.
• Pandora A/S (PNDRY) - Pandora CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier said US demand has stabilised at a low level amid inflation, high gasoline prices and geopolitical uncertainty. Asia remains stronger. Elsewhere, Pandora opened a USD 150mln Vietnam factory expected to provide one-third of manufacturing capacity and produce 60mln jewellery pieces annually at full capacity by 2030.
• Levi Strauss (LEVI) - Levi Strauss appointed John Vandemore Executive Vice President and CFO, effective 1st November. He will succeed Harmit Singh, who will remain Chief Financial & Growth Officer until Vandemore joins and then serve as Special Advisor through 30th November 2026.

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE:

• Albertsons Companies (ACI) - Albertsons appointed Cody Perdue interim CFO, succeeding Sharon McCollam, who is retiring as President and CFO. McCollam will remain an adviser through FY ending 27th February 2027. Albertsons has begun searching for a permanent CFO.

HEALTHCARE:

• Novo Nordisk (NVO), Regeneron (REGN) - Regeneron’s trevogrumab combined with Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide reduced muscle-mass loss by 50% versus semaglutide alone. At 52 weeks, a 75mg trevogrumab dose preserved more than 70% of thigh muscle-mass loss compared with semaglutide alone.
• Sanofi (SNY), Regeneron (REGN) - Sanofi and Regeneron expanded their antibody collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialise four new long-acting Regeneron antibodies. Regeneron will receive USD 1bln upfront from Sanofi and could earn up to an additional USD 7bln in development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments.
• Bristol Myers (BMY) - FDA approved Camzyos for symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in adults and paediatric patients weighing at least 30kg. Approval was based on Phase 3 SCOUT-HCM results showing a statistically significant reduction in Valsalva left ventricular outflow tract gradient at Week 28 versus placebo, with no new adverse reactions identified.
• Eli Lilly (LLY) - Phase 3 ACHIEVE-4 showed Foundayo had non-inferior major cardiovascular event risk versus insulin glargine in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight. Foundayo also improved A1C, weight and cardiometabolic measures, with 16% lower risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke or unstable-angina hospitalisation, and slower kidney-function decline.
• Roche (RHHBY) - Roche said its giredestrant combination significantly improved progression-free survival in ER-positive advanced breast cancer in phase 3 evERA data; elsewhere, a VOYAGER study confirmed Vabysmo’s real world effectiveness, with vision gains and anatomical improvements in untreated eyes and stable or improved vision in previously treated eyes.
• Zealand Pharma (ZEAL) - Zealand Pharma announced positive Phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-2 trial results, with survodutide achieving up to 13.1% weight loss alongside significant improvements in glycaemic control in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes (vs Novo's Wegovy which achieves an average body weight reduction of about 15-17% over 68 weeks).