Quarter

• The UK economy grew by 0.4% in the second quarter, with growth in June offsetting a stagnation in May despite geopolitical tensions involving Iran. • Ofwat has authorized five English water companies to increase household bills to fund £3.4bn in infrastructure spending for datacenters, housing, and chemical removal. • Southern Water will see the most significant impact, with average bill increases of £43 in the 2027/28 financial year and £37 in 2029/30.

• A new report indicates that nearly 25% of the workforce in Southeast Asia is exposed to AI-driven disruption, with clerical, administrative, and professional roles facing the highest risk. • Manual trades, agricultural work, and craft positions remain relatively insulated from these technological shifts. • Analysts emphasize that exposure does not guarantee job replacement; instead, many roles may evolve or move up the value chain to increase productivity.

• British AI companies raised a record-breaking $12.6 billion in the first half of 2026, capturing approximately three-quarters of all UK venture funding. • Despite the massive influx of capital, the sector continues to struggle with a significant "margin problem," where high operational costs offset revenue. • This trend highlights a growing disparity between the immense investor enthusiasm for AI platforms and the actual profitability of the underlying business models.

Shares soar as yearly revenue up 93%, even as opposition grows to company’s role in Trump immigration agendaIn a sea of companies reporting mixed financial results this quarter, Palantir stands out. Although Palantir was not immune to the AI jitters that caused industry-wide drops in share prices earlier this year, the AI and analytics company reported that its overall revenue grew 93% year over year to $1.94bn. That’s well over the $1.8bn Wall Street expected Palantir to bring in for the second quarter.The glowing financials sparked a 10% surge in share prices in the immediate aftermath. Despite growing opposition to Palantir’s work with various governments including the crucial role the company plays in the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, Palantir’s revenue from US government contracts grew 90% year over year to $809m. Continue reading...

• Aura Solution Company Limited released its Q2 2026 Quarterly Strategy report focusing on the recovery of European equity markets. • The report highlights a decisive transition in the second quarter of 2026, following a sharp market correction in late March caused by global energy shock concerns. • Investor sentiment improved as energy markets stabilized and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East eased, allowing a return to fundamental market drivers.

• Stryker Corporation (SYK) shares fell 5.83% to $327.77 after the company's quarterly revenue failed to meet consensus forecasts. • Technical analysis shows the stock has broken below the $314.99 support level and is currently trading under its 20, 50, and 200-day moving averages. • Negative momentum is evident as the MACD and ADX issue sell signals, while the RSI sits at 33.71, indicating a bearish trend.

• The U.S. economy slowed in the second quarter of 2026, expanding at an annual rate of 1.5 percent. • This deceleration is attributed to an ongoing war with Iran, which has severely disrupted global supply chains, energy markets, and pricing. • Persistent price pressures resulting from these disruptions are creating significant instability across financial markets.