Here are the 6 big things we're watching in the stock market this week

• The European Central Bank (ECB) has released a survey analyzing the access to finance for enterprises within the euro area for the second quarter of 2026. • The analysis utilizes firm-level survey data collected from Q2 2024 through Q2 2026, focusing on changes occurring in three-month intervals.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) reports that firms continue to view the general economic outlook as the primary constraint on accessing external financing, with the net percentage rising to 29% from 26%. • Despite these constraints, there has been a slight improvement in banks' willingness to lend, increasing from a net 5% to 6%.

• Most major Western European stock indices closed lower on Friday, with declines including Italy's FTSE MIB (-0.94%), France's CAC 40 (-0.47%), Spain's IBEX 35 (-0.45%), and Germany's DAX (-0.34%). • The UK's FTSE 100 was the sole exception to the downward trend, remaining resilient while other regional markets fell.

• Indian markets are expected to remain volatile with a positive bias as investors focus on June quarter earnings and the impact of renewed West Asia tensions on oil prices and the rupee. • Global attention will shift to the European Central Bank's policy meeting on July 23, where economists generally expect interest rates to remain unchanged.

• The Indian stock market ended the previous week with solid gains, with the Nifty 50 rising 0.53% to 24,334.30 and the Sensex advancing nearly 0.75% to 78,151.45. • Positive momentum was driven by strong domestic economic fundamentals, fresh buying in financial stocks, and better-than-expected Q1 FY27 earnings from the IT sector, particularly TCS.

• Brent crude oil prices surged above $90 per barrel following escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and renewed shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. • The Canadian dollar started Monday strong, though it remains highly sensitive to geopolitical instability and fluctuating oil prices.

• Indian stock markets opened lower at the start of the week, pressured by rising oil prices and a weakening rupee. • Market sentiment is currently being driven by anticipation of upcoming quarterly corporate earnings and the performance of the Nifty Bank index.

• Investors are monitoring five key market events this week, including upcoming earnings reports from major technology companies. • Market sentiment will be driven by central banks' assessments of inflation risks and ongoing geopolitical tensions, specifically the conflict in the Middle East.

• Aakash Shah of Choice has recommended adding three specific stocks—India Cements, Asian Paints, and CDSL—to investor portfolios. • CDSL is highlighted for a strong bullish breakout on its daily chart, having moved decisively above its long-term falling trendline and key horizontal resistance.

• Oil prices surged on Monday, July 20, 2026, following reports that the conflict between the US and Iran has escalated, resulting in attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. • In separate financial news, South Korea announced plans to ease access to the won as part of a broader strategic goal to make the currency freely convertible.

• U.S. stock futures remain steady as investors monitor the escalating conflict in Iran and prepare for a new week of corporate earnings reports. • Currency markets are seeing a pause in the Euro and U.S. Dollar as traders anticipate upcoming central bank meetings, while the British pound has seen a slight increase.

• The EUR/USD currency pair rose to approximately 1.1445 during early European trading on Monday, driven by a hawkish stance from the European Central Bank (ECB). • Despite the upward movement, the pair remains capped below its 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA), indicating a technical ceiling for the current rally.