SQUAWK BOX, WEDNESDAY 18TH OCTOBER, 2023

Chinese GDP in the third quarter beats expectations growing 4.9%, raising hopes that Beijing can still manage to attain its full year growth target. In the U.S., the 2-year Treasury yield hits a 17-year high on better-than-expected consumer numbers. However, BofA CEO Brian Moynihan tells our colleagues stateside that he believes consumer activity is still being hampered by high interest rates. Hundreds are believed dead after a blast at a Gaza hospital, just hours before President Biden is due to arrive in Tel Aviv. We hear from Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry who says that Israel’s actions over the past week may have violated international humanitarian laws. In Washington, the search for a new House speaker stalls again as Republican Jim Jordan falls short of winning the role by 17 votes. A second ballot is due later today. And in retail news, sportswear giant Adidas cuts its full year loss forecast and hikes guidance on the strong sale of its remaining Yeezy shoe inventory.