Category: Market News

U.S. stock futures pointed to a stronger open on Tuesday, suggesting the market could extend Monday’s modest gains. Investor sentiment appeared to improve further ahead of the opening bell, driven in part by upbeat inflation data and optimism surrounding Nvidia.

Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) surged 4.7% in premarket trading, positioning itself as a potential market leader in early action. The rally followed an announcement that the chipmaker would soon resume sales of its H20 AI processors in China.

“The U.S. government has assured NVIDIA that licenses will be granted, and NVIDIA hopes to start deliveries soon,” the company stated, bolstering enthusiasm among investors eager for signs of a thaw in U.S.-China trade tensions.

Also supporting market momentum was the release of the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the Labor Department. The June CPI rose 0.3%, in line with forecasts, following a 0.1% increase in May. Year-over-year inflation accelerated to 2.7% from May’s 2.4%, slightly above the expected 2.6% increase.

The core CPI—which excludes food and energy—rose 0.2% in June, matching expectations and improving on May’s 0.1% increase. On an annual basis, core inflation edged up to 2.9%, exactly as economists predicted.

The data provided reassurance that inflation is progressing toward the Federal Reserve’s target, which could help shape monetary policy expectations heading into the second half of the year.

On Monday, stocks managed modest gains after a choppy session. The Nasdaq advanced 54.80 points, or 0.3%, ending at 20,640.33. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 88.14 points, or 0.2%, closing at 44,459.65, while the S&P 500 rose 8.81 points, or 0.1%, to 6,268.56.

These gains came despite escalating trade rhetoric from former President Donald Trump, who reiterated plans to impose significant tariffs starting next month. He said on Truth Social that the U.S. has suffered “trillions of dollars” in trade losses over the years.

“Countries should sit back and say, ‘Thank you for the many year’s long free ride, but we know you now have to do what’s right for America,’” Trump said. “We should respond by saying, ‘Thank you for understanding the situation we are in. Greatly appreciated!’”

In response, the European Union opted to hold off on retaliatory measures. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen commented during a news conference, “We will therefore also extend the suspension of our countermeasures till early August. At the same time, we will continue to prepare further countermeasures so we are fully prepared.”

She added, “We have always been very clear that we prefer a negotiated solution. This remains the case, and we will use the time that we have now till the 1st of August (to negotiate).”

The EU’s retaliatory tariffs—originally scheduled to take effect Monday—targeted $25 billion worth of American goods in response to a prior U.S. move to tax European steel and aluminum.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

The U.S. dollar edged down modestly on Tuesday, holding close to its highest level in three weeks as investors prepared for the release of key inflation data that could influence the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions.

By 4:30 AM ET (8:30 GMT), the Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, slipped 0.1% to 97.63, remaining near its peak since June 25.

Dollar Softens Before CPI Figures

The dollar, traditionally seen as a safe haven, eased slightly amid improved risk appetite following stronger-than-expected GDP growth in China for Q2 and Nvidia’s announcement about resuming chip exports to China—signaling a potential easing of U.S.-China tensions.

Despite these positive cues, trading volume remained light as market participants awaited the U.S. consumer price index (CPI) report. The market anticipates a 0.3% rise in prices for June, up from 0.1% in May, with annual inflation expected to tick up to 2.6% from 2.4%.

Investors hope the Fed will restart interest rate cuts, but officials remain cautious, citing tariff-related inflation risks as a reason to hold steady.

Analysts at ING noted, “Any deviation from the 0.3% monthly inflation forecast could push the dollar higher or lower accordingly.” They also pointed out that current market pricing still includes about 16 basis points of Fed easing in September, a view that may shift in the coming months.

Euro Gains Ahead of German Sentiment Data

In Europe, the euro climbed 0.2% to 1.1691 against the dollar after dipping to a near three-week low of 1.1650 on Monday.

Spanish inflation slightly exceeded expectations for June, but the focus shifted to Germany’s ZEW economic sentiment index for July, where investors seek signs of strength in Europe’s largest economy.

According to ING, “The data are expected to show positive momentum, reflecting optimism about Germany’s medium-term fiscal stimulus.”

The European Central Bank (ECB) has cut interest rates eight times during its easing cycle, most recently in June, bringing its deposit rate to 2%. ECB official Fabio Panetta suggested last week that further easing could continue if trade tensions and geopolitical risks deepen disinflationary pressures.

Sterling Holds Steady After UK Contraction

The British pound rose 0.2% to 1.3447 against the dollar, rebounding from a two-week low after the UK economy shrank for the second consecutive month in May.

ING analysts highlighted, “Upcoming UK labor data on Thursday will be crucial. If May’s payroll decline of 109,000 jobs remains unchanged and further losses are seen in June, both UK interest rates and sterling could face additional downward pressure.”

Yuan Shows Little Movement Despite Mixed Data

The Chinese yuan traded slightly higher at 7.1739 per dollar despite a flood of economic releases. China’s economy grew 5.2% year-on-year in Q2 2025, surpassing the 5.1% forecast, supported by strong exports and government stimulus.

Industrial production exceeded expectations in June, but retail sales growth fell short, while unemployment stayed steady at 5%.

Elsewhere, USD/JPY remained flat near 147.71, and AUD/USD gained 0.3% to 0.6569.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Shares of Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc (LSE:AMS) rose 3% following the company’s upbeat outlook for the first half of 2025, with revenues expected to reach around £110 million.

The medical tech company projects an adjusted EBITDA in the range of £24.0 million to £24.5 million for the period. While specific analyst consensus for H1 was not available, the firm confirmed that its results are tracking as anticipated and expressed confidence in achieving full-year goals.

Advanced Medical Solutions pointed to solid growth momentum in its core surgical product lines. The integration of recent acquisitions, Peters Surgical and Syntacoll, is reportedly progressing smoothly.

Additionally, the company finalized a restructuring of its Wound Care division by March-end, which has already contributed to margin improvements starting in the second quarter.

The outlook suggests a stronger second half of 2025, with a greater proportion of revenue and EBITDA expected in the latter six months.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

NatWest Group PLC (LSE:NWG) has fully divested its 11.7% ownership in the Irish bank Permanent TSB Group, generating proceeds of €126 million through a private placement with institutional investors.

The British lender sold its shares at €1.98 each, as confirmed in a company announcement on Tuesday. NatWest noted that the transaction would have a minimal effect on its Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio and tangible net asset value per share.

Under the terms of the deal, Ireland’s Minister for Finance has agreed to a shareholder cooperation arrangement, committing not to sell any Permanent TSB shares for a period of 90 calendar days following the placement.

Permanent TSB primarily serves the Irish market, focusing on retail banking and lending to small businesses.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Optima Health Group Ltd (LSE:OPT) delivered a resilient financial performance for its fiscal year 2025, navigating sector-wide challenges with a combination of strategic acquisitions and a surge in new client contracts that support its longer-term growth trajectory.

The company posted £105 million in revenue, a 5% dip compared to the prior year. However, when adjusted for anticipated contract reductions and known business exits, underlying organic growth stood at 4.1%, outperforming the industry’s typical 3–5% growth band.

New contract wins surged to £27.2 million, a sharp increase from the £7.3 million reported in fiscal 2024. Excluding the recently awarded Armed Forces contract, the company still secured £6.2 million in fresh business, with an additional £1.9 million added since March.

Management acknowledged a slower-than-expected pace of converting new business in the latter half of the fiscal year, attributing this in part to internal resources being diverted to the Armed Forces bid and the group’s recent demerger.

Adjusted EBITDA came in at £17.6 million, down 2% year-over-year, with a margin of 16.7%. Cost control helped cushion the impact, as the firm reported lower selling and administrative expenses. Adjusted pre-tax profit totaled £12.8 million, reflecting a 4% decline, though the absence of second-half restructuring costs and fewer exceptional charges helped stabilize results.

Net debt stood at £2.2 million, with the company holding £14.8 million in cash. During the year, Optima drew £17 million from its £20 million revolving credit line to fund acquisitions and operational liquidity.

Looking ahead, Optima expects solid tailwinds from demographic and regulatory demand trends, supported by a healthy pipeline. For fiscal 2026, the company forecasts core growth of around 4%, with additional contribution from recent acquisitions like BHSF, Cognate, and Care First.

The DART program, now licensed by one NHS Trust and under review by four others, is also expected to be a key revenue driver in the coming years.

However, the company has trimmed its adjusted EBITDA forecasts for fiscal 2026 and 2027, now guiding to £18.3 million and £20.2 million, respectively—lower than previous estimates of £19.2 million and £21.6 million. The revisions reflect early-stage integration costs, slower-than-expected recovery in wage-related pressures, and costs associated with launching the Armed Forces contract.

Optima’s valuation remains attractive. Based on a refreshed DCF model into fiscal 2026, the firm’s target share price is set at 225p, equivalent to roughly 11.3x C2025 estimated EV/EBITDA. Currently, the company trades at around 9.6x and 8.8x C2025E and C2026E EV/EBITDA, placing it above occupational health peers (8.2x/7.6x) but below buy-and-build comparables (13.1x/12.4x).

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

The FTSE 100 crossed a major milestone on Tuesday morning, trading above 9,000 points for the first time in history before slipping back slightly as market momentum faded. Meanwhile, the British pound continued its steady rise, hovering near $1.34 against the U.S. dollar.

As of 11:18 GMT, the UK’s blue-chip index was down 0.04% at 8,993 points, while the pound gained 0.2% to break above the $1.34 level.

Elsewhere in Europe, Germany’s DAX edged up 0.1% and France’s CAC 40 ticked 0.02% higher, both showing cautious optimism.

Trump Says U.K. Would Back U.S., Questions EU Loyalty

In a fresh interview with the BBC, U.S. President Donald Trump voiced confidence that the United Kingdom would side with the U.S. in any potential conflict, but cast doubt on whether European Union countries would do the same.

Trump cited this uncertainty as a key reason for halting a trade deal with the EU, while carving out exemptions for the UK under his sweeping tariff agenda.

“I believe the UK would stand with us,” Trump said. “I’m not convinced many of the others would.”

FTSE Hits New Heights Before Retreating

The FTSE 100 jumped roughly 15 points at the opening bell to reach a record 9,016 points—its first time ever crossing that psychological barrier. However, the index failed to hold onto those gains and slipped back below 9,000 later in the session.

Rio Tinto Taps Simon Trott as New CEO

Mining giant Rio Tinto (LSE:RIO) announced the appointment of Simon Trott as its next chief executive, effective August 25. He will replace Jakob Stausholm, who previously signaled his intention to step down.

Trott, a 20-year company veteran and head of the iron ore division, previously served as chief commercial officer and helped launch the company’s largest new iron ore project in Western Australia in over a decade.

Bank of England Revises MREL Rules

The Bank of England unveiled new guidelines on Tuesday regarding the minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL). The changes follow a consultation period that ran from October 2024 to January 2025, which drew 26 responses.

Key updates include raising the indicative asset thresholds for banks and building societies to between £25 billion and £40 billion, starting in January 2026. The BoE said the new rules aim to create a more “robust and proportionate” framework for managing institutional failures.

Experian Exceeds Expectations in Q1 Revenue

Experian PLC (LSE:EXPN) posted an 8% increase in organic revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, surpassing analyst expectations of 7%. Total revenue rose 12% at constant exchange rates.

The credit reporting firm reaffirmed its full-year guidance, citing broad-based growth and a strong start to the year.

Barratt Redrow Shares Tumble on Weak FY26 Outlook

Shares in Barratt Redrow (LSE:RDW) sank more than 7.5% in early trading after the UK homebuilder’s latest update fell short of market forecasts. Total home completions for fiscal 2025 came in at 16,565 units, down 7.8% from last year and below the company’s previous target range.

The shortfall was blamed on subdued activity in London, particularly from international buyers and institutional landlords. Despite maintaining its full-year 2025 profit outlook, the firm’s guidance for 2026 raised concerns about ongoing affordability issues and weakening private buyer demand.

B&M Drops After Disappointing Sales Growth

Discount retailer B&M European Value Retail (LSE:BME) saw its shares plunge more than 10% after reporting lackluster sales for the first quarter of FY26. Same-store sales in the UK grew just 1.3%—well below analyst estimates of 2.6%.

Two-year comparable sales dropped 3.8%, reversing the 0.5% gain reported in the previous quarter. Group revenue rose 4.4% year-over-year to £1.41 billion, with the UK division contributing £1.13 billion, up 4.7%.

Standard Chartered Launches Spot Bitcoin, Ether Trading

Standard Chartered (LSE:STAN) announced on Tuesday that it has begun offering spot trading in bitcoin and ether to institutional clients through its UK entity—making it the first globally systemically important bank to do so.

The move is part of a broader push by traditional finance into digital assets, with the bank confirming it now offers direct and regulated crypto trading services for institutional investors.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

U.S. stock futures hovered just above unchanged levels Tuesday as investors prepared for a busy day featuring key bank earnings reports and fresh inflation data. Wall Street’s major lenders are expected to deliver solid returns, supported by a generally resilient economy. Meanwhile, consumer prices are anticipated to rise at a quicker pace in June. On the international front, China’s economy grew slightly more than expected in Q2, and Nvidia announced plans to soon resume sales of its H20 AI chip in China.

Futures Show Modest Gains

On Tuesday, U.S. stock futures inched mostly upward as market participants awaited crucial quarterly earnings from leading banks and the release of monthly inflation figures. By 03:35 ET, Dow futures remained largely flat, S&P 500 futures were up 16 points (0.3%), and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 99 points (0.4%).

Wall Street saw modest gains in the prior session, buoyed by a series of AI-related headlines easing concerns about new U.S. tariff threats on Europe and Mexico. Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted that Facebook plans to invest “hundreds of billions” in AI computing, while Bloomberg reported that President Trump will unveil a $70 billion AI and energy investment plan.

Traders are closely monitoring an array of upcoming earnings releases that could reveal how companies expect profits to evolve amid rising global trade tensions. Analysts at Vital Knowledge described early reports from companies like Delta Air Lines and Levi Strauss as “encouraging,” though noted that four European chemical firms have lowered their forecasts.

Focus on Bank Earnings

Attention now shifts to Wall Street, where several large U.S. banks are scheduled to report before the market opens. JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and asset management giant BlackRock are set to share results. These firms often signal the start of the quarterly reporting season and serve as barometers for the broader economy.

Analysts expect most of the major banks to report low-to-mid single-digit percentage gains in net interest income (NII), a key measure of income from loans versus interest paid on deposits, according to Reuters.

Despite headwinds—including Trump’s aggressive tariff agenda and renewed Middle East tensions—the U.S. economy has shown resilience in Q2 2025. Inflation remains relatively subdued, and labor demand is stable. However, economists warn that Trump’s planned “reciprocal” tariffs, expected in early August, could cloud the outlook.

CPI Data in Focus

Beyond earnings, markets await fresh U.S. consumer price index data. Economists forecast a 2.6% year-over-year rise in June, up from 2.4% in May, with a 0.3% month-over-month increase, faster than the previous 0.1%. Core CPI, excluding volatile food and energy costs, is expected at 3.0% annually and 0.3% monthly.

ING analysts commented, “Markets will likely be more interested in the impact from Trump’s trade tantrums on the underlying economic data.” They added, “However, any interpretation of the numbers could be complicated by uncertainty around the knock-on effect of many businesses moving to lock in orders before Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff announcement in April.”

China’s Economic Resilience

China’s economy showed modest strength in the first half of 2025, maintaining its official growth target despite tariff pressures. Q2 GDP expanded 5.2% year-on-year, beating expectations of 5.1%, though slightly below Q1’s 5.4%. On a quarterly basis, GDP rose 1.1%, exceeding forecasts of 0.9%, bringing six-month growth to 5.3%, aligned with government goals.

Limited tariff impacts helped sustain strong Chinese export growth in May and June. Washington and Beijing agreed to ease trade tensions further in June. Yet analysts remain cautious, noting weak domestic demand and a prolonged property slump could require additional stimulus.

Nvidia to Restart H20 Chip Sales in China

Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) announced Monday that it will resume selling its H20 AI processor in China “soon” as trade relations between the U.S. and China improve. This follows CEO Jensen Huang’s meetings with officials from both countries.

Nvidia also unveiled a new GPU designed for AI applications in smart factories and logistics in China. The company’s shares rose 3.6% in after-hours trading.

The firm said it is “filing applications to sell” the H20 again, with assurances from the U.S. government that “licenses will be granted.” This comes after Washington lifted some chip export restrictions, allowing companies like Synopsys to resume sales in China.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Mobico Group PLC (LSE:MCG) announced Monday the completion of its School Bus business sale, netting upfront proceeds of $364 million (£273 million).

This amount landed near the lower end of the previously indicated range of $365-385 million.

Despite this, the company now anticipates its fiscal 2025 covenant leverage ratio—net debt to EBITDA—will be approximately 2.5x, improved from around 2.8x at the end of fiscal 2024.

This outcome surpasses earlier expectations, as Mobico had initially described the sale’s effect on leverage as “broadly neutral.”

The company reiterated its adjusted operating profit forecast for fiscal 2025, excluding the School Bus segment, within £180-195 million.

Mobico also highlighted that the final balance sheet position for School Bus at closing will trigger further impairment and the reclassification of foreign exchange and net investment hedge reserves.

This is expected to result in a non-underlying charge in the first half of 2025, with results due on September 9.

As disclosed before, the deal includes a $70 million earn-out tied to School Bus hitting specified revenue, EBITDA, and free cash flow milestones.

Shares of Mobico are currently priced at 29.00 pence, with RBC maintaining a Sector Perform rating and a 35 pence price target.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Standard Chartered (LSE:STAN) has launched spot trading services for bitcoin and ether at its U.K. division, focusing on institutional investors amid rising demand for cryptocurrency exposure.

The bank revealed on Tuesday that it is the first global systemically important bank to deliver secure, regulated, and scalable access to spot trading of bitcoin and ether with physical settlement.

Institutional participants—including corporations, investors, and asset managers—can now trade these digital currencies through familiar foreign exchange platforms.

Additionally, Standard Chartered intends to roll out non-deliverable forwards trading shortly, as stated by the bank.

Chief Executive Bill Winters commented, “As client demand accelerates further, we want to offer clients a route to transact, trade and manage digital asset risk safely and efficiently within regulatory requirements.”

This launch marks a broadening of Standard Chartered’s digital asset services, reflecting financial institutions’ response to growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

European equities saw slight gains on Tuesday, with investors looking beyond the fluctuating tariff landscape and focusing instead on the start of the corporate earnings season across Europe and the U.S.

By 07:05 GMT, Germany’s DAX index was up 0.3%, France’s CAC 40 increased by 0.2%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 rose 0.1%.

Earnings season takes center stage

Despite a rocky start to the week following President Donald Trump’s announcement of 30% tariffs on European Union imports effective August 1, markets in Europe began on a cautiously optimistic note.

Similar tariffs have recently been imposed on Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Brazil, raising concerns about a potential escalation into a global trade conflict.

Yet investors appear to be growing accustomed to the tariff news and are shifting their focus to the upcoming Q2 earnings reports, particularly how ongoing trade tensions might affect corporate profits.

Strong Q2 results from Ericsson

Analysts predict a slight 0.2% decline in STOXX 600 earnings for the quarter, a dip from the previous quarter’s 2.2% growth.

Still, Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) surprised markets with stronger-than-expected adjusted profits in Q2, buoyed by North American sales growth and cost reduction efforts.

UK homebuilder Barratt Developments (LSE:BDEV) posted solid full-year results for 2025 despite a challenging housing market, while credit reporting firm Experian (LSE:EXPN) saw 8% organic revenue growth and reaffirmed its yearly guidance thanks to strong demand across its services.

Across the Atlantic, investors will watch second-quarter earnings from major U.S. banks such as JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM), Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC), and Citigroup (NYSE:C) later in the day.

S&P 500 profits for the quarter are forecast to rise 5.8%, down from the 10.2% predicted in early April before the trade disputes intensified, according to LSEG data.

Germany’s ZEW survey and U.S. inflation report in focus

Market participants are also set to review Germany’s ZEW economic sentiment index for July and eurozone industrial output for May, looking for clues about regional economic momentum.

However, the main economic event will be the U.S. consumer price index data for June, widely watched for indications on the Federal Reserve’s next moves on interest rates.

Economists expect the CPI to show a 0.3% monthly increase in June, up from 0.1% in May, with the annual inflation rate rising to 2.6% from 2.4%.

China’s growth beats expectations, but slows slightly

Earlier reports showed China’s economy grew 5.2% year-on-year in Q2, just above forecasts of 5.1%, though slightly slower than the 5.4% growth seen in Q1.

Oil prices dip as Russian deadline eases supply concerns

Oil prices retreated Tuesday following President Trump’s announcement of a 50-day deadline for Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine and avoid sanctions, which helped ease fears of immediate supply disruptions.

At 03:05 ET, Brent crude futures fell 0.6% to $68.82 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures dropped 0.7% to $66.53 per barrel.

Oil had rallied late last week amid speculation that the U.S. might impose harsher tariffs on Russia due to stalled peace talks, but the softened stance has calmed supply worries and led to selling pressure early this week.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.