European equities opened softer Wednesday, diverging from overnight US record
highs. Brent crude rose back above $100/bbl on Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
and a Gulf of Mexico storm that raised supply concerns. The 10-year US Treasury
yield topped 5.30%, refocusing markets on inflation and higher-rate pressures;
France's 10-year yield briefly eased after far-right leader Le Pen pledged
spending cuts but later rebounded to 4.83%. US futures were subdued — S&P 500
futures flat, Nasdaq futures down 0.1% — as investors await a $3.9 bln US
10-year auction and the Fed's September minutes.
