U.K. regulators gave preliminary approval of Microsoft’s $75 billion proposed acquisition of Activision and the United Auto Workers is threatening to expand its strike against the “Big Three” automakers if a deal ﷽isn’t reached. Here’s ꦛwhat investors need to know today.

1. UK Regulator Gives♒ Preliminary Approval🎶 of Modified Microsoft-Activision Deal

Antitrust regulators in the U.K. released a preliminary decision accepting a modified deal for Microsoft's (MSFT) proposed $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard (ATVI). The decision, made after Microsoft agree♏d to forfeit cloud-streaming rights to Activision games like “Call of Duty,” is one of the last needed to complete the deal, though Microsoft i🍌s facing a challenge from the U.ꦰS. Federal Trade Commission over the merger. Microsoft shares ticked 0.5% higher in pre-market trading, while Activision shares shot up by nearly 2%.

2. UAW Vows to Expa🀅nd Strike if Deal Isn’t Reached Today

The United Auto Workers is threatening to expand its strike against the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Detroit “Big Three” automakers today if a deal is not reached, an outcome that observers said was likely. The UAW is already engaged in a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:strike against all three au🎃tomakers that is targeted to specific facilities, which union leaders said would be expanded if a deal isn’t reached. Shares of Stellantis (STLA) dropped about 0.2% in pre-market trading, while both Ford (F) and General Motors (GM) shares were both up about 0.3%.

3ꦚ. Apple Shares Up as iPhone 15 Goes💟 on Sale Around the World

Apple (AAPL) will begin selling the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:iPhone 15 and its other latest devices today in 40 countries around the world, including the U.S., U.K., China, France, and Australia. While indications are that demand for the iPhone Pro is strong, orders of other models have gotten a more muted response as the online availability of those models remains strong. Shares of Apple traded 0.5% higher in pre-market trading.

4. Caꦯnadian Steel Maker Pursuing Bid for U.S. Steel

Stelco Holdings, Canada’s largest maker of steel, is reportedly working on a bid for United States Steel Corp. (X),  adding to the list of companies looking to acquire what was once the world’s largest company. Stelco’s interest comes as U.S. Steel announced it was seeking strategic alternatives for its business and 澳洲幸运🧜5官方开奖结果体彩网:rejected an offer from rival Cleveland-Cliffs. Shares of U.S. Steel moved higher by 1.6% in pre-market trading.

5. Services, Ma♚nufacturing PMIs Expected to Rise, ൩Fed Speakers on Tap

At 9:45 a.m. ET, the S&P flash U.S. services 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is expected to show an increase to a reading of 50.7 in September from August’s 50.5 reading, while the S&P flash U.S. 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:manufacturing PMI is projected to climb to 48.3 in September from 47.9 the month prior. Also today, Fed Governor Lisa Cook, Boston Fed President Susan Collins, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari and San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly are scheduled to speak.