On today's podcast:
1) Global markets extended a broad selloff, with US stock futures signaling a fourth day of losses and Bitcoin briefly slipping below $90,000 as traders pulled away from speculative assets. S&P 500 futures fell 0.3% after the benchmark closed below its 50-day moving average in the previous session, a sign of scope for further losses. Bitcoin slid more than 1%. European stocks declined for a fourth day. Stock gauges across Asia were in the red, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 posting its worst day since April. Bonds were the biggest beneficiaries as investors sought havens, with the yield on 10-year US Treasuries dropping four basis points to 4.10%. The dollar held steady as gold fell closer to $4,000 an ounce. The cross-asset moves underscored continued unease over interest rates and tech earnings, with Nvidia Corp.’s report on Wednesday poised to test investor nerves over lofty valuations in the artificial-intelligence sector. Focus will then turn to the delayed September jobs report due Thursday, a key gauge for the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.
2) Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller repeated his view that the central bank should again lower interest rates when policymakers meet in December, citing a weak labor market and monetary policy that is hurting low- and middle-income consumers. In a speech titled ‘The Case for Continuing Rate Cuts’ delivered in London, Waller said another rate cut would represent good “risk management” by the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee. He said he isn’t concerned about inflation accelerating or inflation expectations rising significantly given clear signs of softening demand for workers.
3) Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will likely be greeted with great fanfare by President Trump during his visit to the White House on Tuesday. The crown prince hopes to secure an executive order from Trump to bolster Saudi Arabia’s security and potentially pave the way for a stronger defense treaty. The two are also expected to reach an agreement that would allow the kingdom to purchase F-35 stealth planes, despite Israel wanting to keep a monopoly on access. Discussions on the future of Gaza and the thorny issue of relations with Israel are on the agenda as well. There also remains tension over access to AI chips and nuclear technology.
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