Editor’s Take: The Week That Was - Aug 3 - 8

• Stock market volatility in South Korea is easing as leveraged trades unwind following the implementation of regulatory curbs. • Morgan Stanley estimates that the deleveraging process is now more than half complete, though volatility remains elevated.

• The combined market capitalization of four of India's top-10 most valued firms increased by Rs 1.43 lakh crore last week. • State Bank of India (SBI) emerged as the biggest winner among the gaining companies during this period.

• Wall Street investors are focusing on upcoming reports regarding inflation and retail sales for the week of August 8, 2026. • These key economic indicators will provide critical data on price movements across various goods and services.

• The S&P 500 closed at a record high following a softer-than-expected U.S. jobs report, which reduced investor concerns regarding further interest rate hikes. • Data from the U.S. Labour Department revealed that nonfarm payrolls dropped by 23,000 jobs in July, falling significantly below market estimates.

• Wall Street is focusing on upcoming reports regarding inflation and retail sales for the week of August 7, 2026. • These economic indicators will provide investors and economists with critical data on price movements across various goods and services.

• Market analysts are highlighting key stocks for the coming week, focusing on Indian Bank, LT Foods, and MCX. • Technical analysis of a specific unnamed stock shows a breakout above the ₹880 resistance level, confirming an inverted head and shoulder pattern.

• Franklin Templeton has appointed Rene Buehlmann as the new Head of Asia Pacific, with the role becoming effective on September 21, 2026. • Buehlmann will be responsible for overseeing business development, client engagement, and strategic growth across the Asia Pacific region.

• Declining financing costs are expected to trigger a rebound in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and strengthen IPO markets, creating new fee income opportunities. • Regional banks remain vulnerable after accumulating low-yielding securities during the near-zero interest rate era, which subsequently lost value as rates rose.

• The Nasdaq rose on August 7, 2026, following a July jobs report that revealed unexpected losses in the labor market. • Investors are reacting to the weaker-than-expected employment data, which suggests a cooling economy.

• Corporate investment remains strong midway through 2026, though the primary drivers behind these financial decisions are shifting. • There has been a recent uptick in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity, supported by renewed board confidence and the reopening of select capital markets for deal financing.

• IBM has underperformed the broader market over the past year, though Wall Street analysts maintain a cautiously optimistic outlook for the stock. • For the fiscal year ending in December, analysts project a 6.5% growth in diluted earnings per share (EPS), reaching $12.34.