LONDON MARKET EARLY CALL: Stocks to rise as US and Iran halt strikes

• The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declined on Monday, primarily driven by a downturn in semiconductor stocks. • In contrast to the tech-heavy indices, the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed to advance during the same trading session.

• US stocks showed mixed results on Monday, with the S&P 500 falling 0.27% and the Nasdaq dropping 0.63%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.21%. • Market volatility was driven by investor concerns over rising tensions in Iran and fluctuations in Treasury yields.

• The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices declined on Monday as investors reacted to escalating geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran. • Markets are reacting to a U.S. pledge of an "economic D-Day," which involves launching the "greatest financial offensive ever" against Iran.

• Wall Street indices remained subdued on Monday as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of a week filled with high-impact economic events. • Market participants are specifically focusing on upcoming key corporate earnings reports and volatility within the US bond market.

• Indian equities closed lower on Monday, with the Sensex dropping 172 points and the Nifty falling 33 points after erasing early gains. • Market sentiment was pressured by rising bond yields, uncertainty surrounding Iran sanctions, and weakness across Asian markets, causing banking stocks to lag while metals outperformed.

• Global stock markets remained muted as investors weighed the potential for impending U.S. sanctions on Iran, which has dampened overall risk appetite. • Wall Street futures are pointing lower following a Friday close where major North American markets had previously ended the session in positive territory.

• A critical 60-day ceasefire and negotiation deadline between the U.S. and Iran expired on August 17, 2026, without a peace agreement being reached. • Tensions remain high centered on the Strait of Hormuz, with the Iranian Parliament's Speaker indicating a lack of resolution.

• Former President Donald Trump has renewed discussions regarding annexation following Canada's decision to withdraw from a previous deal. • Privacy expert Colin Bennett and journalist Marsha Lederman highlight the growing crisis of online monitoring and the shift toward state-led economic planning in advanced economies.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the actions of dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, labeling them as misguided. • Key grievances include Fedorov's involvement in protests, calls for new elections, and problematic decisions regarding national defense spending.

• European companies reported a strong 18% increase in earnings per share during the second quarter, marking a significant recovery after flat growth in 2024–2025. • Major financial institutions Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan are bullish on the STOXX Europe 600, forecasting a rally to 670–680, roughly 3% above current levels.

• The EUR/USD currency pair remained strong for a fourth consecutive trading day, hovering around 1.1680 during Asian trading hours on Monday. • The Euro's stability is driven by a weakening US Dollar, which is currently under pressure following the announcement of new US fiscal strategies.

• Thailand’s SET Index closed at 1,601.05 points on August 24, 2026, marking a decrease of 12.73 points or 0.79%. • The total trading value for the session reached THB 60.9 billion.