European markets set to open lower; UK GDP ticks up slightly

Dutch insurer Aegon raised its full-year capital generation target Friday after reporting better-than-expected results in its U.S. business.

Third-quarter operating capital generation, excluding allowances, came in at 336 million euros ($354.8 billion). Analysts polled by the company had expected a print of 296 million euros, according to Reuters.

Aegon, which is targeting growth in the U.S., said it now expects full-year capital generation of around 1.2 billion euros, versus the 1.1 billion euros previously forecast.

— Karen Gilchrist

U.K. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves said Friday that she was “not satisfied” with Britain’s economic growth, as she responded to the latest data out earlier in the session, which showed gross domestic product (GDP) inched up 0.1% in the third quarter.

The reading covers a period of significant uncertainty as the U.K., with the government accused of talking down the economy as investors and consumers awaited Reeves’ Oct. 30 budget.

“Improving economic growth is at the heart of everything I am seeking to achieve, which is why I am not satisfied with these numbers,” Reeves said, adding that her budget — which included huge tax rises and increased spending — would seek to spur growth.

Joe Nellis, economic adviser at MHA, said that while the U.K. economy remained anemic, it appeared to be “slowly moving forwards on the road to recovery.”

“What is more unclear is the effect that increased government spending and investment will have on growth. While the Chancellor has announced a wave of public sector investment initiatives to boost growth, the Government’s long-term approach – which is a sound strategy – may mean that we must wait longer to see any catalysing effects on the economy,” he added on Friday.

— Karen Gilchrist

The U.K. economy expanded by 0.1% in the third quarter of the year, the Office for National Statistics said Friday.

That was below the expectations of economists polled by Reuters who forecast 0.2% gross domestic product growth on the previous three months of the year.

It comes after inflation in the U.K. fell sharply to 1.7% in September, dipping below the Bank of England’s 2% target for the first time since April 2021. The fall in inflation helped pave the way for the central bank to cut rates by 25 basis points on Nov. 7, bringing its key rate to 4.75%.

— April Roach

The U.K. could face further tax rises if the government doesn’t get the economy moving, ING economist James Smith said Friday, after Labour announced its latest growth-driving reforms.

Finance Minister Rachel Reeves on Thursday revealed a slew of financial reforms, including easing regulation and boosting pension funds, as part of wider plans to spur growth and investment. It comes weeks after Reeves announced major changes to the country’s debt rules in her bumper tax-rising budget.

However, Smith said it will be critical for those reforms to bear fruit and boost growth if the country is to avoid further tax rises ahead.

“The risk really for Labour is … if they don’t get the economy moving quickly enough, I think we’re looking at more tax rises again,” Smith said.

— Karen Gilchrist

Citi says a South Korean firm will be a significant beneficiary of Nvidia‘s next generation of AI chips and expects its stock to rise by more than 40% in the next 12 months.

The Wall Street bank added that the company’s AI-related revenue could rise by 90% next year.

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more about the stock here.

— Ganesh Rao

As investors mull over how to play the market following the U.S. election result, Sanders Morris’ George Bull reveals what he is looking out for right now.

“The postelection rally was frenetic and may have been too much too soon. But, it did show that investors have confidence that the business community and earnings will be strong under a [Donald] Trump administration,” the chairman at the U.S.-headquartered wealth management firm said.

However, he warned that there was “schizophrenia” in the bond market, which could “fuel indecision and some correction” in the stock markets. Stocks are often rattled when Treasury yields surge, particularly growth stocks as higher yields can hurt their expected future earnings.

Against this backdrop, the wealth manager revealed where – and how – he is playing the market.

— Amala Balakrishner