ECB holds rates at 2.25% as the reignited Iran war keeps a second hike in play

• The European Central Bank (ECB) previously raised its deposit rate by a quarter point to 2.25% following a surge in eurozone consumer prices from 1.9% in February to 3.2% in May. • Recent data shows that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) slowed to 2.8% in June, indicating a cooling trend in inflation.

• The FTSE 100, FTSE 250, FTSE 350, and FTSE All-Share indices declined today as investors reacted to escalating tensions in the Middle East and global market uncertainty. • Contributing factors to the downturn include rising oil prices, weak corporate updates, and a report from Heathrow Airport showing lower first-half core earnings due to higher tax expenses and travel instability.

• The FTSE 100 index rose by 1.24% (131.06 points) to close at 10,716.97 on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, outperforming other major Western European benchmarks. • Investors are currently evaluating the new UK government's fiscal and regulatory priorities, specifically focusing on the composition of the finance ministry.

• The Euro weakened to approximately 1.1385 against the US Dollar on Thursday after the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to keep its key interest rates unchanged. • In its policy statement, the ECB highlighted that energy prices remain highly volatile and warned that the full inflationary impact of recent energy shocks has not yet materialized.

• The BSE Sensex plummeted over 500 points and the NSE Nifty50 closed below 23,900, reflecting a sharp downturn on Dalal Street. • The decline was primarily driven by crude oil prices hitting a six-week high, alongside escalating geopolitical tensions and currency weakness.

• Indian billionaire Gautam Adani is considering the launch of a new airline, according to sources cited by The Business Times. • This potential move marks a strategic shift for the Adani Group, which already maintains a significant infrastructure footprint by operating eight airports across India.

• BNP Paribas reported a 33% increase in second-quarter net profit to €4.35 billion, surpassing analyst expectations. • The growth was primarily driven by strong equity trading, a recovery in retail banking, and gains from its insurance partnership with Ageas.

• European shares declined as technology stocks faced pressure from weak semiconductor earnings and growing concerns regarding AI spending. • Energy stocks saw gains as escalating tensions in the Middle East drove up Brent crude oil prices.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to keep interest rates steady during its upcoming policy meeting. • While holding rates, policymakers are likely to signal that further hikes remain a possibility for September.

• Amidst volatility in the STOXX Europe 600 Index, investors are seeking undervalued opportunities based on corporate earnings and geopolitical trends. • Momentum Group AB, a Nordic industrial component supplier with a SEK7.23 billion market cap, is highlighted as potentially trading at a discount.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to keep its main policy rate steady at 2.25% during today's meeting. • Investors are closely monitoring the ECB for hints regarding potential policy shifts in September, which will include updated economic forecasts.