Newsquawk Daily US Equity Opening News - BLK beat on EPS and revenue; BAC, MS fall post-earnings

US INDEX FUTURES: ES -0.3%, NQ -0.6%, YM -0.3%, RTY -1.1% DAY AHEAD: The key data point on Wednesday was the US CPI report, which was hotter than expected, and garnered a broad-base hawkish reaction. Ahead, Fed speak is scheduled from Barkin (2027 voter) and Goolsbee (2027 voter), as well as the Fed Beige Book, with the weekly private inventory metrics after-hours, delayed a day on account of US Columbus Day on Monday. US PRE-MARKET MOVERS: Mag-7, Memory names, BLK, BAC, MS, STT, LQDA, GME. Full summary below. US PRE-MARKET MOVERS SUMMARY Mag-7: GOOGL +0.7% AAPL +0.7% MSFT +0.2% AMZN flat TSLA -1% NVDA -1% META -1.2% Memory names sell-off continues: SKHY -3.7% SNDK -3% WDC -2.6% STX -2.4% MU -1.5% BLK +2.4%: EPS & rev. topped w/ constructive comms. BAC -5.2%: EPS, rev., FICC & equities rev. all missed on top of being fined $1.2b over money laundering failures MS -2.2%: Headline metrics impressed although internals were more mixed STT -7.8%: Top line slightly short of Wall St exp. LQDA +36%: Reached a global settlement agreement w/ UTHR to resolve all pending litigation between Cos. GME +0.6%: CEO Cohen raises stake to 9.1% US EQUITY NEWS: FINANCIALS BlackRock (BLK) Q3 2026 (USD): Adj. EPS 15.93 (exp. 14.32), Revenue 7.75bln (exp. 7.43bln), AUM 15.49tln (exp. 15.57tln). Commentary: Capital demand is increasing globally; Q3 saw the first deployment of an AI-infrastructure partnership; 68bln raised in private markets over the last year. Bank of America (BAC) Q3 2026 (USD): Adj. EPS 1.08 (exp. 1.10), Revenue 30.0bln (exp. 30.58bln). Key Metrics: FICC Trading ex-DVA 2.55bln (exp. 2.86bln), Equities Trading ex-DVA 2.51bln (exp. 2.63bln), Wealth & Investment Management 7.12bln (exp. 7.06bln), Investment Banking 1.80bln (exp. 1.77bln), NII 16.45bln (exp. 16.24bln), Credit Loss Provision 1.27bln (exp. 1.49bln). In other news, fined USD 1.2bln over money laundering failures. Commentary: CFO said making progress on medium term targets; enter Q4 with good momentum. Morgan Stanley (MS) Q3 2026 (USD): EPS 3.03 (exp. 2.93), Revenue 20.3bln (exp. 19.9bln). Revenue Breakdown: Wealth management 9.07bln (exp. 9.11bln), Equity Sales & Trading 5.80bln (exp. 4.90bln), FICC Sales & Trading 2.01bln (exp. 2.22bln), Institutional IB 2.16bln (exp. 2.09bln), Equity Underwriting 525mln (exp. 620.1mln). Key Metrics: NII 3.25bln (exp. 2.78bln), Total Deposits 478.38bln (exp. 446.03bln), Provision for Credit Losses 148mln (exp. 84mln), Non-Interest Expenses 13.71bln (exp. 13.56bln), Compensation Expenses 8.00bln (exp. 8.07bln). State Street (STT) Q3 2026 (USD): EPS 3.69 (exp. 3.68), Revenue 4bln (exp. 4.03bln), NII 864mln (exp. 854.1mln). Guidance: Raises FY; NII +14-16% (prev. +14-15%), Fee revenue +13-14% (prev. +12-13%), Expense +8-8.5% (prev. +8%). Progressive (PGR) Q3 2026 (USD): EPS 4.37 (exp. 4.30), Net premiums written 22.3bln (exp. 22.4bln). TECH ASML (ASML) Q3 2026 (EUR): Basic EPS 12.95 (exp. 10.68), Revenue 11.66bln (exp. 11.58bln). Guidance: Q4 net sales 14.2-15.2bln (exp. 14bln). FY total net sales 44-45bln (exp. 43.6bln, prev. 43-45bln). Commentary: CEO said "now expect that our supply as currently planned for both 2027 and 2028 will not fully meet the demand of our customers. As a result, we are investigating ways to increase capacity for 2028 beyond the 30% increase we previously communicated". “In light of their demand visibility, some customers are expressing an interest in placing orders with us for 2029 and even 2030.” GlobalFoundries (GFS) - Receives USD 21bln as part of the US-Japan deal for two new fabs. OpenAI - In early talks to acquire security startup Trail of Bits, according to The Information. CFO said Q3 momentum is continuing into Q4 "at pace". Nvidia (NVDA) - Announces a compute donation valued at USD 250mln over five years to support UK agentic safety and security research. IonQ (IONQ) - Announcing pricing of USD 2bln equity offering at USD 40/shr. HEALTHCARE Liquidia (LQDA) - Announced it has entered into a global settlement agreement with United Therapeutics (UTHR) that resolves all pending litigation between the companies. Importantly, YUTREPIA, or treprostinil, inhalation powder will remain available to patients with PAH without disruption. Verastem Oncology (VSTM) - Positive initial efficacy and updated safety and tolerability data in first multi-tumor clinical data update from the ongoing TARGET-D 101 Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating VS-7375, an investigational and potential best-in-class oral KRAS G12D inhibitor, in patients with advanced KRAS G12D-mutated solid tumors. COMMUNICATIONS AT&T (T) - Has reached an agreement to sell AT&T Mexico to Grupo Televisa and Fintech Holdings for USD 2bln in cash at closing, subject to certain adjustments, plus additional contractual and contingent benefits. CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY GameStop (GME) - CEO Ryan Cohen raises stake to 9.1%. Alibaba (BABA) - Fitch affirmed Alibaba at "A"; outlook stable. INDUSTRIALS Fastenal (FAST) Q3 2026 (USD): EPS 0.35 (exp. 0.34), Revenue 2.46bln (exp. 2.44bln). Commentary: Improvement in market conditions in H1'26 strengthened in Q3. Pricing contributed to around 2.4%, reflecting continued pricing actions, though at a slower pace as the Co. began to lap peak pricing implemented in 2025. AZZ (AZZ) Q2 2027 (USD): EPS 2.00 (exp. 1.84), Revenue 486.9mln (exp. 463.44mln). Guidance: Raises FY; adj. EPS 7.00-7.30 (prev. 6.75-7.15), Revenue 1.825-1.875bln (prev. 1.8-1.85bln). RTX (RTX) - Awarded USD 8bln Air Force contract. Leidos (LDOS) - Awarded USD 317.99mln Defense Health Agency contract. Lockheed Martin (LMT) - Awarded USD 117.12mln Army contract. MATERIALS BHP (BHP) - Escondida mine has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Supervisor's Union and is to be ratified by members, with a strike being avoided, according to sources. Rio Tinto (RIO) - Q3 Operations Update saw flat Copper Production, but on track to unlock USD 5bln in capital as iron ore sales topped estimates. Affirmed FY26 outlook, but sees lithium output for the FY being at the lower end of guidance. UTILITIES American Electric Power (AEP) - Plans to invest USD 4bln to advance a new 702-MW fuel cell generation project near Cheyenne, Wyoming, under a 20-year PPA with Google (GOOGL).