Squawk Box Europe Express CNBC International

The Dow surges by more than 300 points, climbing for seven consecutive sessions. Softer than expected jobless claims data is once again fueling speculation of rate cuts later this year. In London, the BoE keeps the interest rate steady in a 7-2 split of the MPC. Markets have no upped their bets of a cut in June. BoE Governor Andrew Bailey tells CNBC the central bank’s judgments will not be swayed by the upcoming UK general election. Chinese EV maker Zeekr prices its New York listing at the top of its range. The IPO could be the biggest listing of a Chinese company Stateside in almost three years. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu defies President Biden’s warnings not to invade Rafah and says the country will fight on alone if necessary.

Chinese trade data beats expectations in April to show signs of stabilisation as demand improves both home and abroad. British chip designer ARM sees shares tumble almost 9 per cent in after-hours trade following gloomy revenue guidance which has fueled concerns of a slowdown in A.I. demand. President Joe Biden warns Israel the U.S. will pause weapons deliveries if the IDF invades Rafah. Markets are split ahead of the BoE rate decision later today over a potential rate cut forecast for June.    

Theme park concerns weigh on Disney shares which tumble 10 per cent despite streaming service Hulu posting its first quarterly profit since launching in 2019. Social media platform Reddit sees its shares pop up by more than 15 per cent in extended trade, helped along by stronger-than-expected ad revenues as it posts its first results since going public. Chinese social media giant TikTok sues the U.S. government, saying that a potential ban of the app in America would violate the First Amendment. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tells our colleagues Stateside that he remains purchasing or investing in the business. Global debt soars by up to $1.3tn to a fresh record high of $315tn in Q1.  

UBS posts a $1.8bn beat in Q1 on both the top and bottom lines. The Swiss lender says its integration of Credit Suisse is on track. In Spain, Banco Sabadell rejects rival BBVA’s €12bn takeover bid for significantly undervaluing the bank as well as its growth potential. Chinese president Xi is hosted by French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris but sticks to a familiar diplomatic line, meeting in talks with Macron and European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen. And in the Middle East, Hamas agree to a ceasefire, but Israel rejects the deal which it says falls short of its demands, with the IDF targeting eastern Rafah.

Berkshire Hathaway’s cash pile balloons to $189bn. Warren Buffett uses the company’s AGM in Omaha, Nebraska to signal how it should be run once he passes. Wall Street closes the week in the green following a weaker-than-expected jobs print. This raised hopes that the Federal Reserve may consider cutting interest rates soon. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Paris on the first leg of his European tour. His host, President Emmanuel Macron is to press him on trade relations and Ukraine support. And in the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak admits to the challenges facing the Tory party following a bruising third-place finish in last week’s local elections.

Apple launches the largest share buyback in U.S. corporate history after beating Q1 expectations, despite a 10 per cent fall in iPhone sales. U.S. markets have rallied strongly ahead of today’s jobs report with investors anticipating signals about the Fed’s next policy moves. In the UK, local and mayoral election vote-counting is under way. We are live in Blackpool where Labour has regained the Red Wall constituency of Blackpool South, a significant blow to Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party. And in mining news, Glencore launches its own bid for Anglo American which may trigger a bidding war following last week’s approach by rival BHP.