FTSE 100 Closes Up 0.57% at 10,817 as European Markets Split - Europe

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Wall Street experienced a softening trend as the global economy awaits the August nonfarm payrolls report scheduled for 12:30 GMT on Friday, September 3, 2026. • Economists anticipate a rebound to 58,000 new jobs, following a significant shock decline of 23,000 positions recorded in July.

• Asian stock markets closed higher following mild gains in US stocks and a slip in oil prices. • South Korea's Kospi led the gains, rising 1.4% to 6,656.81, driven by increases in Samsung Electronics (1.3%) and SK Hynix (1.4%).

• In August 2026, Asian markets showed divergent performance, with South Korea and Taiwan maintaining strong year-to-date gains of over 90% and 64%, respectively. • India's equities declined by 0.2% due to a combination of rising energy costs, modest foreign outflows, and a general decrease in risk appetite.