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MONDAY BID EUROPE - Nestle in a sticky situation similar to euro zone inflation

Ankur Banerjee gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets

Nestle, the maker of Kitkats and a major player in the data world, will be the focus of investors' attention after it abruptly fired its CEO.

According to economist estimates, euro zone inflation was likely stable at 2.0% in August. Last week, data from Germany, France Italy and Spain showed that inflation was close to the European Central Bank target.

Market watchers expect the ECB to leave its key interest rate unchanged at 2% during its policy meeting in July, and they also expect that it will do so this month. Discussions about further reductions are expected to resume in autumn.

NESTLE UPHEAVALL

Nestle fired Laurent Freixe a year and a half after he became CEO because he failed to disclose a romantic relationship involving a subordinate.

This dismissal came one year after the abrupt departure of Mark Schneider, and two-and-ahalf months after Paul Bulcke, the longtime chair, announced that he would retire in 2026. It was one of the most turbulent times in the history.

Nestle stock has dropped more than 17% in the last 12 months, while the pan-European STOXX 600 index is up 5%. Beware of fireworks when the market opens.

WAGE WAGERS FOR RATE-CUTTING

The broader market was also struggling to find direction, as investors prepared for the U.S. employment report due on Friday. This will have an impact on the Federal Reserve’s policy in the near future. Investors expect the Federal Reserve to cut rates by 25 basis points at its meeting in September.

Investors have been wary of President Donald Trump's relentless attacks on the Fed. His efforts to fire Lisa Cook, the Governor at the Federal Reserve Bank, raised the possibility that he would make more dovish appointments.

The comments of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have stoked concerns about the Fed’s credibility and independence.

"The Fed should have independence." Bessent stated in an interview that the Fed is independent but that he also believes they have made many mistakes.

Gold has broken above $3,500 per ounce, a new record. The dollar is still under pressure from rate-cut bets. Metal is up 33% after rising 27% in the previous year.

The following are the key developments that may influence Tuesday's markets:

Euro zone inflation data for august

(source: Reuters)