Economic Bulletin Issue 5, 2026

• The FTSE 100 index saw a slight increase today as investors reacted to geopolitical developments and corporate reports. • Market gains were driven by hopes for stability in the Strait of Hormuz and a close watch on upcoming company earnings.

• Major stock indices traded mixed today, with the S&P 500 rising +0.31% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing +1.05% to reach new all-time highs. • Gains were driven by strong corporate earnings, specifically from Booking Holdings, which saw its stock jump over +7% following better-than-expected Q2 gross bookings.

• European stock markets ended Wednesday's trading session with mixed results following a volatile day of swings between gains and losses. • Investors remained cautious throughout the session, carefully assessing recent corporate earnings announcements to gauge economic health.

• The Indian stock market ended higher on August 5, with the Sensex rising 152 points and the Nifty 50 closing above 24,620. • Gains were driven by the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to keep the repo rate unchanged, alongside an improved FY27 growth outlook and lowered inflation projections.

• The Sensex and Nifty indices declined from their daily highs, with the Nifty ending the session below the 24,650 mark. • The market downturn was triggered by Donald Trump's warning of a "very strong strike" if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened promptly.

• Indian equity benchmarks ended Wednesday's trading session in the green, driven by late gains during the Closing Auction Session (CAS). • The Sensex closed at 78,581, up 52 points, while the Nifty ended at 24,625, marking a 10-point increase.

• Asian equities declined on Thursday, August 6, as the recent technology-driven rally on Wall Street lost momentum. • South Korea's Kospi experienced the sharpest drop, tumbling 3.71%, while Japan's Nikkei fell 1.68% and the MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped 0.2%.

• Asian markets are experiencing cautious trading with the NZX opening lower, as investors await critical US initial claims and Friday's jobs data. • Market focus remains on earnings reports from Softbank and Swire, while the Yen's volatility and China's pursuit of taxes on overseas investments pressure insurers and financials.

• The STOXX Europe 600 Index reached a record closing high for the second consecutive day on May 5, though overall gains were tempered by shifting Middle East peace hopes. • Novo Nordisk shares plummeted 4.3% after sales of the oral version of its obesity drug, Wegovy, failed to meet market expectations despite an increase in 2026 full-year guidance.

• The Stoxx 600 pan-European index has reached a record high, posting a 10% increase so far in 2026. • Growth is largely driven by the Euro Stoxx Banks index, which has returned 18% due to sector consolidation and strong performance from lenders like BNP Paribas, ABN Amro, and Mediobanca.

• European shares reached a new record close, with the Stoxx 600 index hitting record highs in three of the last four trading sessions. • Strong corporate earnings helped offset market volatility and investor uncertainty stemming from ongoing tensions in the Middle East.