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U.S. stock futures edged lower Wednesday as investors awaited the release of minutes from the latest Federal Reserve policy meeting. At 03:00 ET, S&P 500 futures were down 0.2%, Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.3%, and Dow futures slipped 0.2%. Tuesday’s session closed mixed, with the S&P 500 down 0.6%, Nasdaq down 1.5%, and the Dow slightly higher.

Fed Minutes Could Reveal Policy Divisions

The minutes may highlight internal divisions after two Fed officials, Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, dissented at the last meeting—the first double dissent since 1993. Markets are pricing in a potential 0.25% rate cut next month, with possibly another later this year. Investors also look ahead to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at the Jackson Hole symposium on Friday for further guidance.

Retail Earnings in Spotlight

Target (NYSE:TGT) leads a wave of retail earnings, reporting Q2 results before the bell. Analysts expect EPS of $2.03 on revenue of $24.93 billion. Investors will watch for commentary on tariffs, digital sales growth, and competitive pressures from Walmart and Amazon. Other retailers reporting this week include Lowe’s (NYSE:LOW), TJX (NYSE:TJX), and Home Depot (NYSE:HD), which maintained its annual forecasts despite muted quarterly results.

U.S. Government Eyes Semiconductor Stakes

Washington is considering taking equity stakes in semiconductor firms receiving CHIPS Act subsidies, including Intel, Micron, TSMC, and Samsung, in exchange for grants. The move would mark a historic step in U.S. industrial policy, giving the government direct influence in strategic companies vital for national security.

Elon Musk Shelving Political Plans

Tesla CEO Elon Musk appears to be abandoning plans to start a new political party, the “America Party,” focusing instead on his companies. This shift is expected to reassure shareholders concerned about potential distractions from Tesla operations.

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.

British stocks opened slightly lower on Wednesday, with the FTSE 100 down 0.2% as of 07:08 GMT, while the pound remained near 1.35 USD, up 0.03%. European markets also traded in the red, with Germany’s DAX down 0.9% and France’s CAC 40 falling 0.5%.

UK Inflation Rises to 3.8% in July

UK consumer price inflation increased to 3.8% in July, above the 3.7% forecast and up from 3.6% in June. Rising energy prices, particularly fuel (improving from -9.0% to -6.7%), contributed 0.1 percentage points to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Services inflation rose to 5.0% from 4.7%, exceeding the Bank of England’s 4.9% projection, partly due to base effects in communications and restaurants/hotels.

Ithaca Energy Boosts Production and 2025 Outlook

Ithaca Energy PLC (LSE:ITH) reported a strong first half, doubling production to 123.6 kboe/d from 53 kboe/d in H1 2024. Adjusted EBITDAX rose to over $1.1 billion, up from $533 million, while unit operating costs fell to $17.5/boe from $27.3/boe. The company upgraded its 2025 outlook, reflecting higher output and improved efficiency.

Lion Finance Posts Record H1 Profit, Increases Shareholder Returns

Lion Finance Group PLC (LSE:BGEO) declared a half-year dividend of GEL 5.10 per share and approved a GEL 98 million share buyback. Q2 profit reached GEL 513.2 million, up 19.4% year-on-year, while H1 profit rose 28.4% to GEL 1.03 billion, with return on average equity at 27.9%.

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.

Lion Finance Group (LSE:BGEO) reported a 19.4% increase in second-quarter profit, reaching GEL 513.2 million, supported by robust loan growth. Half-year profit rose 28.4% year-on-year to GEL 1.03 billion, with a return on average equity of 27.9%. Operating income for the quarter climbed 9.5% to GEL 1.04 billion, driven mainly by higher net interest income in Georgia and Armenia.

The group approved a half-year dividend of GEL 5.10 per share and a GEL 98 million share buyback. Operating expenses increased 12.1% to GEL 378.8 million, largely due to higher staff costs and contributions to Georgia’s new resolution fund. The loan book expanded 22.5% year-on-year to GEL 36.53 billion, with client deposits up 14.7% to GEL 34.79 billion. Asset quality remained stable, with a second-quarter cost of credit risk ratio of 0.5% and a non-performing loan ratio of 1.9%.

In Georgia, net interest income grew 17.5% to GEL 514.5 million, while profit rose 7.6% to GEL 409.9 million. Armenian operations saw net interest income increase 16.3% to GEL 192.3 million, with profit surging 197.3% to GEL 95.8 million, helped by a sharp reduction in the cost of risk.

The board announced a shift to a quarterly dividend schedule, maintaining a target payout range of 30%-50% of annual profits. Ex-dividend is set for Sept. 25, with payment on Oct. 10. Economic growth in the region remains strong, with GDP in Georgia up 7.1% and Armenia 8.1% in Q2, prompting upward revisions of 2025 forecasts to 7.5% and 5%, respectively.

About Lion Finance Group

Lion Finance Group operates in Georgia and Armenia, offering banking and financial services including lending, deposits, and investment solutions. The group focuses on sustainable growth, asset quality management, and delivering consistent shareholder returns.

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.

Costain Group PLC (LSE:COST) reported strong financial results for the first half of 2025, achieving higher operating profit and improved margins despite a slight decline in revenue. The company remains confident in meeting its full-year operating margin targets, underpinned by a robust forward work pipeline of £5.6 billion and elevated bidding activity. Supportive government infrastructure initiatives and regulatory investments in key sectors present significant growth opportunities, strengthening Costain’s market position and shareholder value.

About Costain Group PLC

Costain Group PLC operates in the UK infrastructure sector, delivering engineering solutions and services across Transport, Water, Energy, and Defence and Nuclear markets. The company focuses on executing critical infrastructure projects and has established a strong reputation for delivering value across its core sectors.

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.

Jadestone Energy plc (LSE:JSE) reported highly successful flow testing at the Skua-11ST well in the Montara field offshore Australia, with initial oil output far surpassing expectations. Production peaked above 6,000 barrels per day, well above the previous guidance of 3,500 barrels per day, and has stabilized at around 4,400 barrels per day. This stronger-than-anticipated output is expected to boost overall Montara field production, lower unit operating costs, and extend the field’s operational life by roughly one year, reinforcing Jadestone’s efficiency and market position.

About Jadestone Energy plc

Jadestone Energy plc is an independent upstream oil and gas company headquartered in Singapore, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Its portfolio spans production and development assets in Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The company pursues growth through both organic development and strategic acquisitions while committing to responsible operations and aiming for Net Zero emissions from operated assets by 2040.

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.

ANGLE plc (LSE:AGL) has entered a collaboration with Myriad Genetics to explore the potential of combining Parsortix-derived circulating tumour cell (CTC) DNA with Myriad’s established tissue-based diagnostic tests. This partnership seeks to enhance patient care by providing broader access to genomic insights through a minimally invasive blood test, supporting advancements in precision medicine.

About ANGLE plc

ANGLE plc is a global leader in liquid biopsy technologies, specializing in circulating tumour cell (CTC) solutions for research, drug development, and clinical oncology applications. Its flagship Parsortix® PC1 System, FDA-cleared, enables detailed analysis, including whole cell imaging and molecular profiling. The company focuses on diagnostic innovation, offering custom assay development and clinical trial support to advance cancer detection and patient treatment.

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.

Concurrent Technologies Plc (LSE:CNC) has launched Bragi, its first NVIDIA graphics card, developed in partnership with EIZO Rugged Solutions. Built on the 3U OpenVPX architecture, this high-performance GPGPU is designed for edge processing applications and targets global defence and industrial markets. The launch strengthens Concurrent’s product portfolio and reassures customers of seamless system integration, highlighting the company’s dedication to delivering advanced technology solutions.

About Concurrent Technologies Plc

Concurrent Technologies Plc designs and manufactures high-end embedded plug-in cards and systems for demanding applications in telecommunications, defence, security, telemetry, scientific, and aerospace sectors. Its products, including Intel Core, Xeon, and Atom processor-based solutions, are engineered for long lifecycle and extreme environments, fully compliant with industry standards, and compatible with leading embedded operating systems. The company sells its products globally.

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.

Ithaca Energy PLC (LSE:ITH) reported a strong first-half performance in 2025, with notable gains in production, safety, and environmental measures. Reflecting these achievements, the company has upgraded its full-year guidance, underpinned by solid organic production and targeted capital investments. Key milestones include operational progress in the West of Shetland area, strategic acquisitions supporting UK Continental Shelf growth, and ongoing commitments to shareholder returns through dividends. These initiatives position Ithaca Energy for sustained growth, enhancing both market presence and stakeholder value.

About Ithaca Energy PLC

Ithaca Energy PLC is an oil and gas exploration and production company with a focus on the UK Continental Shelf. The company is recognized for its strategic investments in high-quality assets and a commitment to improving production efficiency and delivering value to shareholders.

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.

Premier African Minerals Limited (LSE:PREM) has reported major advancements at its Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project, with the primary flotation plant now fully operational and producing saleable concentrate on a consistent basis. The company is targeting the transition of Zulu into a multi-commodity industrial minerals operation, benefiting from recent gains in spodumene prices and ongoing strategic management efforts to drive profitability and address outstanding debt.

About Premier African Minerals

Premier African Minerals Limited is a Southern Africa-focused mining and natural resources company with a diversified portfolio that includes tungsten, rare earth elements, lithium, tantalum, and gold. Its projects span Zimbabwe, with RHA Tungsten and Zulu Lithium, and Mozambique, covering both near-term production opportunities and early-stage exploration ventures.

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.

Bluebird Mining Ventures Ltd (LSE:BMV) has announced several strategic developments, including the appointment of Denis Rusinovich as Vice President of Finance and Operations. Rusinovich brings extensive experience across both conventional finance and digital assets. The company has also finalized onboarding with Galaxy Digital for trade execution and secured approval to list its shares on the OTCQB market under the ticker BMVLF.

In addition, Bluebird has submitted an initial draft prospectus to the Financial Conduct Authority, targeting a minimum capital raise of £10 million, with the publication expected by the end of September 2025. These moves underscore the company’s commitment to strengthening its leadership and advancing its growth strategy.

About Bluebird Mining Ventures

Bluebird Mining Ventures Ltd is a gold-focused development company dedicated to expanding operations and enhancing its executive team. The company operates in the gold sector, leveraging expertise in both traditional financial markets and digital assets to support its strategic objectives.

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.