Economic activity edges higher amid mixed consumer signals

• A series of key U.S. economic reports are scheduled for release, including Initial Jobless Claims, Trade Balance, and ISM Services PMI. • Market volatility is being driven by a conflict between resilient economic activity and rising oil prices, which have renewed inflation concerns despite softer employment data.

• Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller stated on Thursday that he is leaning toward keeping interest rates steady at the upcoming September meeting. • Waller expressed confidence in current inflation trends, noting that higher energy prices and tariff impacts have not substantially affected other sectors of the economy.

• The FTSE 100 closed up 0.57% at 10,817.50. • The index spent most of the morning session in the red before gaining.

• Robinhood shares surged approximately 11% on Thursday, marking the company's strongest single-day performance since August 21. • The rally is driven by Wall Street's increasing focus on prediction markets as a significant growth catalyst for the platform.

• Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller stated he is open to holding interest rates steady, provided that upcoming inflation indicators show a continued decline. • While favoring a pause to allow disinflation to take effect, Waller warned that a rate hike in September remains a possibility if inflation persists.

• The eurozone is seeking a new growth model as the external environment that supported its long-term export-led strategy has permanently shifted. • Policymakers are considering a rebalance toward domestic demand or a reinvention of their export edge, though neither path offers a guaranteed playbook.

• US Treasury yields continued a protracted uptrend yesterday, though momentum slowed as the trading session progressed. • Economic data remained sparse, with the US ADP report showing job growth of 38k, which aligned closely with market expectations.

• Italian 10-year government bond yields are rising in tandem with European natural gas prices, creating a feedback loop where high energy costs drive inflation. • The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to hike interest rates at its next meeting and again by December to counter persistent inflation.

• ECB Governing Council member Joachim Nagel has signaled that the European Central Bank is set to increase borrowing costs during its meeting next week. • While Nagel is confident about the immediate hike, he expressed caution regarding the trajectory of future interest rate adjustments.

• Fortune will reveal its annual Fortune 500 Europe list on September 16, highlighting the continent's most successful companies. • The announcement coincides with the FCF event in London, where C-suite leaders from Europe and the Middle East will gather to discuss growth strategies and best practices.

• Thailand’s SET Index closed at 1,576.92 points on September 3, 2026, marking a slight increase of 1.85 points (0.12%). • Total trading value for the session reached THB 64.48 billion, with the market rebounding after an initial period of sideways-up movement.