Market Update
Bank of Japan Held Rates Steady, Tokyo Region Inflation Accelerated In July
Akira Ito
31 Jul, 2026
Tokyo
Stocks in Japan staged a sharp rally on Friday, and investors reviewed the rate decisions and inflation update.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared as much as 5%, and the broader TOPIX increased nearly 2%, and the Japanese yen strengthened more than 3% to 160.63 against the U.S. dollar.
The Bank of Japan left its short-term policy rate at 1% at the end of its policy meeting on Friday, following its previous 25 basis point hike in June.
In the 8-1 rate decision, policymakers warned for the first time that underlying inflation could exceed the 2% target due to higher import costs of energy and rising wages.
In its quarterly outlook, the BoJ lifted its 2026 real GDP growth projection to 0.6% from the previous estimate of 0.5% amid strong exports and resilient domestic demand.
In addition, the central bank lowered its fiscal year 2026 inflation estimate to 2.5% from 2.8%, reflecting continued support from the government for energy bills for residents.
The rate decision accompanied a suspected market intervention to bolster the currency, which has been hovering at a four-decade low for weeks.
On the economic front, overall inflation in the Tokyo area accelerated to 2.0% in July from 1.7% in June, marking the highest level in seven months.
Core consumer prices, which excludes volatile food prices, accelerated to an annual 1.9% in July from a 1.6% rise in the previous month, signaling broadening price pressures stemming from the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, core-core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, advanced to 2.0% in the month from 1.9% in June, according to the data released by the Statistics Bureau of Japan.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 4.1% to 64,422.77, and the broader TOPIX advanced 1.5% to 4,011.79.
AI- and semiconductor-linked stocks soared following a sharp rebound in tech stocks in overnight trading in New York.
Microsoft and Amazon reported better-than-expected quarterly results and reiterated their commitment to continue their investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Tokyo Electron Media increased 5.7% to ¥55,190.0, Advantest Corp. rose 15% to ¥32,220.0, and soared 12.7% to ¥37,980.0.
Bank of Japan Held Rates Steady, Tokyo Region Inflation Accelerated In July
Akira Ito
31 Jul, 2026
Tokyo
Stocks in Japan staged a sharp rally on Friday, and investors reviewed the rate decisions and inflation update.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared as much as 5%, and the broader TOPIX increased nearly 2%, and the Japanese yen strengthened more than 3% to 160.63 against the U.S. dollar.
The Bank of Japan left its short-term policy rate at 1% at the end of its policy meeting on Friday, following its previous 25 basis point hike in June.
In the 8-1 rate decision, policymakers warned for the first time that underlying inflation could exceed the 2% target due to higher import costs of energy and rising wages.
In its quarterly outlook, the BoJ lifted its 2026 real GDP growth projection to 0.6% from the previous estimate of 0.5% amid strong exports and resilient domestic demand.
In addition, the central bank lowered its fiscal year 2026 inflation estimate to 2.5% from 2.8%, reflecting continued support from the government for energy bills for residents.
The rate decision accompanied a suspected market intervention to bolster the currency, which has been hovering at a four-decade low for weeks.
On the economic front, overall inflation in the Tokyo area accelerated to 2.0% in July from 1.7% in June, marking the highest level in seven months.
Core consumer prices, which excludes volatile food prices, accelerated to an annual 1.9% in July from a 1.6% rise in the previous month, signaling broadening price pressures stemming from the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, core-core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, advanced to 2.0% in the month from 1.9% in June, according to the data released by the Statistics Bureau of Japan.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 4.1% to 64,422.77, and the broader TOPIX advanced 1.5% to 4,011.79.
AI- and semiconductor-linked stocks soared following a sharp rebound in tech stocks in overnight trading in New York.
Microsoft and Amazon reported better-than-expected quarterly results and reiterated their commitment to continue their investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Tokyo Electron Media increased 5.7% to ¥55,190.0, Advantest Corp. rose 15% to ¥32,220.0, and soared 12.7% to ¥37,980.0.
China's Politburo Provided Verbal Support to Capital Markets, Business Activities Growth Weakened In July
Li Chen
31 Jul, 2026
Hong Kong
China's benchmark indexes advanced on Friday, driven by a rise in AI-related stocks.
The Hang Seng decreased 0.1%, and the mainland-focused CI 300 Index increased 1.2% as investors reviewed the latest comments from the Politburo.
The Politburo, a meeting of top policymakers, signaled its commitment to provide timely support for the economy but provided few details.
Investors held out for more policy support after the initial set of coordinated actions between the central bank and state-controlled investment funds failed to revive market sentiment.
China's annual economic growth slowed down to 4.3% in the second quarter from 5.0% in the first quarter, and the latest business survey confirmed slowing activities in both manufacturing and services sectors.
The NBS Manufacturing PMI unexpectedly declined to 49.2 in July from 50.3 in the previous month. said the National Bureau of Statistics.
The factory activity growth contracted for the first time since February amid persistent weakness in domestic demand and rising costs for export orders.
China's non-manufacturing PMI eased to 49.0 in July from 50.2 in June, pointing to a renewed contraction after two months of modest expansion, the statistical agency said in a separate report.
The weak readings reinforced concerns over slowing growth, and most economists are holding out for the official GDP growth to ease below 3% in the second half of the year.
China's GDP growth estimates are widely estimated, and many private domestic and international economists estimate Chinese economic growth may be close to 1%, sharply below the official estimate of between 4.5% and 5.0%.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.1% to 25,830.69, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 1.2% to 4,605.92.
For the week, the Hang Seng Index rose 3.4%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 1.2%.
Semiconductor- and AI-related stocks shot up sharply, tracking gains in tech stocks in overnight trading in New York after Microsoft reiterated its commitment to continue investing in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Cambricon Technologies Corp. soared 8.2% to ¥1,128.02, Zhongji Innolight advanced 8.2% to ¥934.25, SMIC edged up 3.2% to HK $63.90, and Eoptolink Technology advanced 10.4% to ¥409.50.
China's Politburo Provided Verbal Support to Capital Markets, Business Activities Growth Weakened In Jul
Li Chen
31 Jul, 2026
Hong Kong
China's benchmark indexes advanced on Friday, driven by a rise in AI-related stocks.
The Hang Seng decreased 0.1%, and the mainland-focused CI 300 Index increased 1.2% as investors reviewed the latest comments from the Politburo.
The Politburo, a meeting of top policymakers, signaled its commitment to provide timely support for the economy but provided few details.
China's annual economic growth slowed down to 4.3% in the second quarter from 5.0% in the first quarter, and the latest business survey confirmed slowing activities in both manufacturing and services sectors.
The NBS Manufacturing PMI unexpectedly declined to 49.2 in July from 50.3 in the previous month. said the National Bureau of Statistics.
The factory activity growth contracted for the first time since February amid persistent weakness in domestic demand and rising costs for export orders.
China's non-manufacturing PMI eased to 49.0 in July from 50.2 in June, pointing to a renewed contraction after two months of modest expansion, the statistical agency said in a separate report.
The weak readings reinforced concerns over slowing growth, and most economists are holding out for the official GDP growth to ease below 3% in the second half of the year.
China's GDP growth estimates are widely estimated, and many private domestic and international economists estimate Chinese economic growth may be close to 1%, sharply below the official estimate of between 4.5% and 5.0%.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.1% to 25,830.69, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 1.2% to 4,605.92.
For the week, the Hang Seng Index rose 3.4%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 1.2%.
Semiconductor- and AI-related stocks shot up sharply, tracking gains in tech stocks in overnight trading in New York after Microsoft reiterated its commitment to continue investing in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Cambricon Technologies Corp. soared 8.2% to ¥1,128.02, Zhongji Innolight advanced 8.2% to ¥934.25, SMIC edged up 3.2% to HK $63.90, and Eoptolink Technology advanced 10.4% to ¥409.50.
U.S. Indexes Rebounded After Microsoft Earnings Soothed AI Trade Worries
Barry Adams
30 Jul, 2026
New York City
U.S. stocks advanced on Thursday as investors reacted to the latest batch of earnings.
The S&P 500 Index increased 0.5%, and the tech-dominated Nasdaq Composite rose 1.1% following the release of quarterly results from key technology companies.
Meta, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Arm Holdings, Starbucks, Coursera, and Chipotle Mexican Grill were in focus after the release of their quarterly results.
Amazon, Apple, and Coinbase are set to release their results after the close of the regular session.
The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes edged up a fraction to 4.79% after the Federal Open Market Committee left its lending rate range unrevised, though three members dissented in favor of a rate hike.
The FOMC left the fed funds rate range unrevised between 3.5% and 3.75% in a 9-3 vote, despite inflation staying well above the Fed's 2% target rate.
The Federal Reserve is lagging, and investors anticipate rates eventually rising by at least 50 basis points amid broadening inflation from the energy to other sectors of the economy.
Across the Atlantic, the Bank of England left its bank rate unchanged at 3.75% in a 6-3 decision, but policy makers noted rising inflationary pressures in the economy.
Although the consumer price inflation has eased to 2.6%, the central bank's policymakers are anticipating higher energy costs to feed through to businesses and households later in the year.
U.S. Movers
Microsoft jumped 9.7% to $428.28 after the software company reported its quarterly results.
Revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter ending in June increased 18% to $90.1 billion, net income surged 31% to $35.8 billion, and diluted earnings per share advanced to
Total cloud revenue surged 27% to $59.3 billion, driven by a 43% increase in Azure and other cloud services revenue, pushing Azure's individual annual revenue past $100 billion for the first time.
Spending on data centers and AI infrastructure came in at about $41 billion, and the company indicated it plans to continue to invest in extending its infrastructure.
Microsoft guided fiscal first quarter revenue to range between $89.85 billion and $90.95 billion, indicating about 16% growth at the midpoint.
Chipotle Mexican Grill increased 7.5% to $36.80 after the company released its second quarter results.
Revenue increased 9.3% to $3.4 billion, net income decreased to $403.5 million from $436.1 million, and diluted earnings per share were flat at 32 cents.
Comparable restaurant sales increased 2.2%, and the company opened 100 new locations across its system.
Meta Platforms dropped 10% to $526.52 after the company reported second-quarter results.
Total revenue increased 28% to $60.8 billion, net income decreased 14% to $15.8 billion from $18.3 billion, and diluted earnings per share declined 13% to $6.18 from $7.14 a year ago.
Meta's free cash flow plunged 91% to $784 million from $8.6 billion a year ago, largely because of the escalating cost of artificial infrastructure.
Capital expenditures soared to $31.1 billion for the quarter, consuming roughly 98% of Meta’s operating cash flow to build out server clusters and new data centers like its $14 billion El Paso, Texas, venture.
Daily Active People users averaged 3.60 billion across its family of apps—Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads—an increase of 3%.
Meta projected third quarter revenue between $61 billion and $64 billion, setting a midpoint ($62.5 billion) slightly below consensus expectations of $63.15 billion.
U.S. Indexes Rebounded After Microsoft Earnings Soothed AI Trade Worries
Barry Adams
30 Jul, 2026
New York City
U.S. stocks advanced on Thursday as investors reacted to the latest batch of earnings.
The S&P 500 Index increased 0.5%, and the tech-dominated Nasdaq Composite rose 1.1% following the release of quarterly results from key technology companies.
Meta, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Arm Holdings, Starbucks, Coursera, and Chipotle Mexican Grill were in focus after the release of their quarterly results.
Amazon, Apple, and Coinbase are set to release their results after the close of the regular session.
The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes edged up a fraction to 4.79% after the Federal Open Market Committee left its lending rate range unrevised, though three members dissented in favor of a rate hike.
The FOMC left the fed funds rate range unrevised between 3.5% and 3.75% in a 9-3 vote, despite inflation staying well above the Fed's 2% target rate.
The Federal Reserve is lagging, and investors anticipate rates eventually rising by at least 50 basis points amid broadening inflation from the energy to other sectors of the economy.
Across the Atlantic, the Bank of England left its bank rate unchanged at 3.75% in a 6-3 decision, but policy makers noted rising inflationary pressures in the economy.
Although the consumer price inflation has eased to 2.6%, the central bank's policymakers are anticipating higher energy costs to feed through to businesses and households later in the year.
U.S. Movers
Microsoft jumped 9.7% to $428.28 after the software company reported its quarterly results.
Revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter ending in June increased 18% to $90.1 billion, net income surged 31% to $35.8 billion, and diluted earnings per share advanced to
Total cloud revenue surged 27% to $59.3 billion, driven by a 43% increase in Azure and other cloud services revenue, pushing Azure's individual annual revenue past $100 billion for the first time.
Spending on data centers and AI infrastructure came in at about $41 billion, and the company indicated it plans to continue to invest in extending its infrastructure.
Microsoft guided fiscal first quarter revenue to range between $89.85 billion and $90.95 billion, indicating about 16% growth at the midpoint.
Chipotle Mexican Grill increased 7.5% to $36.80 after the company released its second quarter results.
Revenue increased 9.3% to $3.4 billion, net income decreased to $403.5 million from $436.1 million, and diluted earnings per share were flat at 32 cents.
Comparable restaurant sales increased 2.2%, and the company opened 100 new locations across its system.
Meta Platforms dropped 10% to $526.52 after the company reported second-quarter results.
Total revenue increased 28% to $60.8 billion, net income decreased 14% to $15.8 billion from $18.3 billion, and diluted earnings per share declined 13% to $6.18 from $7.14 a year ago.
Meta's free cash flow plunged 91% to $784 million from $8.6 billion a year ago, largely because of the escalating cost of artificial infrastructure.
Capital expenditures soared to $31.1 billion for the quarter, consuming roughly 98% of Meta’s operating cash flow to build out server clusters and new data centers like its $14 billion El Paso, Texas, venture.
Daily Active People users averaged 3.60 billion across its family of apps—Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads—an increase of 3%.
Meta projected third quarter revenue between $61 billion and $64 billion, setting a midpoint ($62.5 billion) slightly below consensus expectations of $63.15 billion.
New York Thursday
Barry Adams
30 Jul, 2026
New York City
U.S. stocks advanced on Thursday as investors reacted to the latest batch of earnings.
The S&P 500 Index increased 0.5%, and the tech-dominated Nasdaq Composite rose 1.1% following the release of quarterly results from key technology companies.
Meta, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Arm Holdings, Starbucks, Coursera, and Chipotle Mexican Grill were in focus after the release of their quarterly results.
Amazon, Apple, and Coinbase are set to release their results after the close of the regular session.
The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes edged up a fraction to 4.79% after the Federal Open Market Committee left its lending rate range unrevised, though three members dissented in favor of a rate hike.
The FOMC left the fed funds rate range unrevised between 3.5% and 3.75% in a 9-3 vote, despite inflation staying well above the Fed's 2% target rate.
The Federal Reserve is lagging, and investors anticipate rates eventually rising by at least 50 basis points amid broadening inflation from the energy to other sectors of the economy.
Across the Atlantic, the Bank of England left its bank rate unchanged at 3.75% in a 6-3 decision, but policy makers noted rising inflationary pressures in the economy.
Although the consumer price inflation has eased to 2.6%, the central bank's policymakers are anticipating higher energy costs to feed through to businesses and households later in the year.
U.S. Movers
Microsoft jumped 9.7% to $428.28 after the software company reported its quarterly results.
Revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter ending in June increased 18% to $90.1 billion, net income surged 31% to $35.8 billion, and diluted earnings per share advanced to
Total cloud revenue surged 27% to $59.3 billion, driven by a 43% increase in Azure and other cloud services revenue, pushing Azure's individual annual revenue past $100 billion for the first time.
Spending on data centers and AI infrastructure came in at about $41 billion, and the company indicated it plans to continue to invest in extending its infrastructure.
Microsoft guided fiscal first quarter revenue to range between $89.85 billion and $90.95 billion, indicating about 16% growth at the midpoint.
Chipotle Mexican Grill increased 7.5% to $36.80 after the company released its second quarter results.
Revenue increased 9.3% to $3.4 billion, net income decreased to $403.5 million from $436.1 million, and diluted earnings per share were flat at 32 cents.
Comparable restaurant sales increased 2.2%, and the company opened 100 new locations across its system.
Meta Platforms dropped 10% to $526.52 after the company reported second-quarter results.
Total revenue increased 28% to $60.8 billion, net income decreased 14% to $15.8 billion from $18.3 billion, and diluted earnings per share declined 13% to $6.18 from $7.14 a year ago.
Meta's free cash flow plunged 91% to $784 million from $8.6 billion a year ago, largely because of the escalating cost of artificial infrastructure.
Capital expenditures soared to $31.1 billion for the quarter, consuming roughly 98% of Meta’s operating cash flow to build out server clusters and new data centers like its $14 billion El Paso, Texas, venture.
Daily Active People users averaged 3.60 billion across its family of apps—Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads—an increase of 3%.
Meta projected third quarter revenue between $61 billion and $64 billion, setting a midpoint ($62.5 billion) slightly below consensus expectations of $63.15 billion.
Japan' Nikkei 225 Index Rebounded, Advantest Corp In Focus After Results
Akira Ito
30 Jul, 2026
Tokyo
Stocks in Japan rebounded and reversed 2-day losses, but the weakness in AI trade truncated market gains.
The Nikkei 225 Index increased 0.7%, the broader TOPIX decreased 0.5%, and the Japanese yen weakened to 163.72 against the U.S. dollar.
The yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds increased to 2.78% after the U.S. Federal Reserve left its rates unrevised.
The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes edged up a fraction to 4.78% after the Federal Open Market Committee left its lending rate range unrevised, though three members dissented in favor of a rate hike.
AI-related stocks rebounded, despite the weakness in overnight trading in New York, after Advantest Corp. reported better-than-expected results in its latest quarter.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.7% to 61,867.43, and the broader TOPIX fell 0.5% to 3,952.50.
Advantest Corp. soared 11% to ¥27,935.0 after the chip-testing equipment maker lifted its annual operating profit outlook by 35%, supported by strong demand driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The market rally spread to other AI-related stocks after Advantest released its results.
Tokyo Electron increased 4.4% to ¥52,240.0, Murata Manufacturing advanced 2.9% to ¥6,416.0, and Ibiden Corp. gained 1.4% to ¥13,650.0.
SoftBank Group fell 2.5% to ¥4,622.0 after its subsidiary Arm Holdings PLC plunged 6.6% to $209.93 on weaker-than-expected sales estimates.
Japan' Nikkei 225 Index Rebounded, Advantest Corp In Focus After Resul
Akira Ito
30 Jul, 2026
Tokyo
Stocks in Japan rebounded and reversed 2-day losses, but the weakness in AI trade truncated market gains.
The Nikkei 225 Index increased 0.7%, the broader TOPIX decreased 0.5%, and the Japanese yen weakened to 163.72 against the U.S. dollar.
The yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds increased to 2.78% after the U.S. Federal Reserve left its rates unrevised.
The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes edged up a fraction to 4.78% after the Federal Open Market Committee left its lending rate range unrevised, though three members dissented in favor of a rate hike.
AI-related stocks rebounded, despite the weakness in overnight trading in New York, after Advantest Corp. reported better-than-expected results in its latest quarter.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.7% to 61,867.43, and the broader TOPIX fell 0.5% to 3,952.50.
Advantest Corp. soared 11% to ¥27,935.0 after the chip-testing equipment maker lifted its annual operating profit outlook by 35%, supported by strong demand driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The market rally spread to other AI-related stocks after Advantest released its results.
Tokyo Electron increased 4.4% to ¥52,240.0, Murata Manufacturing advanced 2.9% to ¥6,416.0, and Ibiden Corp. gained 1.4% to ¥13,650.0.
SoftBank Group fell 2.5% to ¥4,622.0 after its subsidiary Arm Holdings PLC plunged 6.6% to $209.93 on weaker-than-expected sales estimates.
China's Indexes Struggled Ahead of Politburo Meeting
Li Chen
30 Jul, 2026
Hong Kong
China's indexes lacked direction ahead of the politburo meeting this week, and investors held out for possible policy support amid a weakening economic growth backdrop.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index dropped more than 2% amid a deepening correction in artificial intelligence-related stocks.
Brent crude oil prices decreased by 0.9% to $89.99 a barrel amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupted for the third week as Iran and the U.S. continued to exchange military strikes.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.2% to 25,737.50, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 2.2% to 4,500.16.
Tech and AI-related stocks led decliners in Hong Kong and on the mainland exchanges amid persistent worries over the sustainability of the artificial intelligence infrastructure spending.
Cambricon Technologies dropped 11% to ¥1,030.0, Eoptolink Technologies decreased 13% to ¥364.58, and Zhongji Innolight fell 11.4% to ¥843.69.
Zhongji Innolight completed its initial public offering in Hong Kong and raised HK $53.4 billion, or $6.8 billion, pricing its IPO at HK $980 each.
The optical transceiver maker's stock faced strong headwinds amid a global downturn in investor sentiment towards the artificial intelligence sector.
China's Indexes Struggled Ahead of Politburo Meeting
Li Chen
30 Jul, 2026
Hong Kong
China's indexes lacked direction ahead of the politburo meeting this week, and investors held out for possible policy support amid a weakening economic growth backdrop.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index dropped more than 2% amid a deepening correction in artificial intelligence-related stocks.
Brent crude oil prices decreased by 0.9% to $89.99 a barrel amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupted for the third week as Iran and the U.S. continued to exchange military strikes.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.2% to 25,737.50, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 2.2% to 4,500.16.
Tech and AI-related stocks led decliners in Hong Kong and on the mainland exchanges amid persistent worries over the sustainability of the artificial intelligence infrastructure spending.
Cambricon Technologies dropped 11% to ¥1,030.0, Eoptolink Technologies decreased 13% to ¥364.58, and Zhongji Innolight fell 11.4% to ¥843.69.
Zhongji Innolight completed its initial public offering in Hong Kong and raised HK $53.4 billion, or $6.8 billion, pricing its IPO at HK $980 each.
The optical transceiver maker's stock faced strong headwinds amid a global downturn in investor sentiment towards the artificial intelligence sector.
Earnings Dominate Market Sentiment On Wall Street, Volatile Oil Jumps 6%
Barry Adams
29 Jul, 2026
New York City
U.S. stocks wavered ahead of the Federal Reserve's rate decisions later in the session, and crude oil prices rebounded after tensions in the Middle East flared up.
The S&P 500 Index decreased 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% as investors reviewed the latest batch of earnings.
West Texas crude oil prices rose 5% to $83.22 a barrel after the U.S. Central Command said in a social media post it had successfully intercepted missile attacks launched by Iran.
The U.S. and Iran exchanged military strikes for thirteen consecutive days, disrupting energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and preventing crude oil and natural gas reaching global markets.
Crude oil prices have surged more than 20% over the last three weeks, driven by renewed uncertainty of supplies from the Gulf nations.
U.S. Movers
Ford Motor Company rose 7% to $15.99 after the vehicle maker reported better-than-expected second quarter results.
Visa Inc. decreased 2.4% to $358.0 after the payment processor reported its fiscal third quarter ending in June.
Revenue increased 14% to $11.6 billion from $10.2 billion, net income advanced 7% to $5.6 billion from $5.3 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose 10% to $2.97 from $2.69 a year ago.
Total revenue growth was driven by an 11% increase in payments and 9% growth in processed transactions, led by expansion in digital commerce.
The company said it returned $6.2 billion to shareholders, including $4.9 billion in stock repurchases and $1.3 billion in dividends, and as of the end of June, about $28.4 billion was available under stock repurchase authorization.
The U.S. payment volume increased 10%, driven by an 11% rise in credit volume, a 9% increase in debit charges, and international payments advanced 10% from a year ago, respectively.
The FIFA World Cup also supported a surge in cross-border payment processing, and inbound processing rose 25% in the U.S. host cities, 70% in Mexico, and 35% in Canada.
Visa estimated fourth-quarter adjusted net revenue growth at the high end of the "low-double-digit percentage range," full-year 2026 net revenue growth at the low end of the low-teens percentage range, and adjusted earnings per share growth at the low end of the mid-teens percentage range.
Earnings Dominate Market Sentiment On Wall Street, Volatile Oil Ju
Barry Adams
29 Jul, 2026
New York City
U.S. stocks wavered ahead of the Federal Reserve's rate decisions later in the session, and crude oil prices rebounded after tensions in the Middle East flared up.
The S&P 500 Index decreased 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% as investors reviewed the latest batch of earnings.
West Texas crude oil prices rose 5% to $83.22 a barrel after the U.S. Central Command said in a social media post it had successfully intercepted missile attacks launched by Iran.
The U.S. and Iran exchanged military strikes for thirteen consecutive days, disrupting energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and preventing crude oil and natural gas reaching global markets.
Crude oil prices have surged more than 20% over the last three weeks, driven by renewed uncertainty of supplies from the Gulf nations.
U.S. Movers
Ford Motor Company rose 7% to $15.99 after the vehicle maker reported better-than-expected second quarter results.
Visa Inc. decreased 2.4% to $358.0 after the payment processor reported its fiscal third quarter ending in June.
Revenue increased 14% to $11.6 billion from $10.2 billion, net income advanced 7% to $5.6 billion from $5.3 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose 10% to $2.97 from $2.69 a year ago.
Total revenue growth was driven by an 11% increase in payments and 9% growth in processed transactions, led by expansion in digital commerce.
The company said it returned $6.2 billion to shareholders, including $4.9 billion in stock repurchases and $1.3 billion in dividends, and as of the end of June, about $28.4 billion was available under stock repurchase authorization.
The U.S. payment volume increased 10%, driven by an 11% rise in credit volume, a 9% increase in debit charges, and international payments advanced 10% from a year ago, respectively.
The FIFA World Cup also supported a surge in cross-border payment processing, and inbound processing rose 25% in the U.S. host cities, 70% in Mexico, and 35% in Canada.
Visa estimated fourth-quarter adjusted net revenue growth at the high end of the "low-double-digit percentage range," full-year 2026 net revenue growth at the low end of the low-teens percentage range, and adjusted earnings per share growth at the low end of the mid-teens percentage range.
Japan's Indexes Extended Monthly Losses, Oil Rebounded as Middle East Tensions Flared
Akira Ito
29 Jul, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's indexes extended the previous session's losses as technology stocks remained under heavy pressure amid the sustainability of the artificial intelligence trade.
The Nikkei 225 Index fell as much as 2%, while the broader TOPIX edged up a fraction, and the Japanese yen weakened to 163.45 against the U.S. dollar.
Market sentiment remained fragile in Tokyo and Asia, as global semiconductor stocks deepened losses for the third consecutive week.
Moreover, tensions in the Middle East flared after Iran resumed bombing U.S. installations following the sustained Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
Despite the repeated claims by the U.S. president, the war between the U.S. and Iran is showing no signs of ending, and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia expanded to the Caspian Sea.
Crude oil and natural gas prices are likely to rise further as the two separate conflicts involving the U.S. and Iran and the West and Russia increasingly overlap.
The Brent crude oil prices rose 3.5% to $87.46 a barrel, extending a two-week gain to over 24%.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 2% to 61,112.46, and the broader TOPIX edged up 0.02% to 3,964.26.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, Mizuho Financial, and Mitsubishi UFJ declined between 2% and 3%.
Murata Manufacturing plunged 12.8% to ¥6,231.0, Kioxia Holdings decreased 13.9% to ¥38,380.0, and Tokyo Electron dropped 11% to ¥50,000.0.
Japan's Indexes Extended Monthly Losses, Oil Rebounded as Middle East Tensions Flared
Akira Ito
29 Jul, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's indexes extended the previous session's losses as technology stocks remained under heavy pressure amid the sustainability of the artificial intelligence trade.
The Nikkei 225 Index fell as much as 2%, while the broader TOPIX edged up a fraction, and the Japanese yen weakened to 163.45 against the U.S. dollar.
Market sentiment remained fragile in Tokyo and Asia, as global semiconductor stocks deepened losses for the third consecutive week.
Moreover, tensions in the Middle East flared after Iran resumed bombing U.S. installations following the sustained Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
Despite the repeated claims by the U.S. president, the war between the U.S. and Iran is showing no signs of ending, and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia expanded to the Caspian Sea.
Crude oil and natural gas prices are likely to rise further as the two separate conflicts involving the U.S. and Iran and the West and Russia increasingly overlap.
The Brent crude oil prices rose 3.5% to $87.46 a barrel, extending a two-week gain to over 24%.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 2% to 61,112.46, and the broader TOPIX edged up 0.02% to 3,964.26.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, Mizuho Financial, and Mitsubishi UFJ declined between 2% and 3%.
Murata Manufacturing plunged 12.8% to ¥6,231.0, Kioxia Holdings decreased 13.9% to ¥38,380.0, and Tokyo Electron dropped 11% to ¥50,000.0.