ECB Holds Rates as September Hike Risk Intensifies

• Nokia (NYSE:NOK) experienced a surge in investor interest this week, as highlighted by Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index. • The company reported second-quarter financial results on Thursday, beating analyst estimates for both earnings per share and revenue.

• Investors are monitoring key stocks including Infosys, IndiGo, NTPC, SAIL, Swiggy, IEX, and Meesho following recent corporate announcements. • Caliber Mining & Logistics is expected to be a primary focus as its shares officially list on the exchanges today.

• U.S. stock futures are mixed on Friday as markets react to rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions following Iran's reported rejection of a U.S. ceasefire proposal. • Retail sentiment on major index ETFs like SPY and QQQ has plummeted to "extremely bearish" on Stocktwits amid concerns over Middle East instability and potential Trump tariffs.

• Infosys reported a healthy large deal pipeline, though management noted that client decision cycles have become longer. • The company discussed its revised FY27 guidance, which was downgraded due to reduced client spending and a strategic move to avoid uneconomic deals.

• Indian stock markets extended their losing streak for a fourth consecutive session amid a broader Asian tech selloff and Brent crude trading above $100. • Corporate earnings reports showed mixed results, with Infosys posting a 12% year-on-year profit growth for the first quarter.

• Investors are focusing on key stocks including NTPC, Shriram Finance, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, and CG Power, which are all scheduled to release their Q1 results today. • Market sentiment in Asia is currently negative, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s Kospi trading lower by 2.8% and 2.9%, respectively.

• Hargreaves Lansdown is preparing a preview of the stock market activity for the week commencing July 27, 2026. • The upcoming analysis will focus on a selection of companies from the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 indices that are scheduled to report financial results.

• Cboe Global Markets is seeing steady stock performance driven by strong growth in options trading volume, market data, and clearing services. • Investors are closely monitoring derivatives volumes, earnings trends, and index exposure to determine the company's long-term financial trajectory.

• The White House issued a Presidential Memorandum on July 23, 2026, establishing penalties for economies that fail to prohibit or enforce laws against goods produced with forced labor. • The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will determine which nations are penalized based on their effectiveness in combating forced labor imports.

• European equity markets have maintained growth and resilience following a strong performance in 2025, according to recent analyst reports. • The market's stability persists despite significant headwinds, including acute exposure to geopolitical shocks and ongoing macroeconomic challenges.

• The FTSE 100 rallied 1.3% over the week, while the FTSE 250 and AIM all-share indices rose by 0.8% and 1.6% respectively. • Market gains were driven by reports suggesting that peace talks between Iran and the United States could potentially resume.