financetom
World
financetom
/
World
/
Markets aren't going on a summer holiday
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Markets aren't going on a summer holiday
Aug 7, 2026 1:27 AM

Aug 7 (Reuters) - No time for a break. Even in the middle of August, there is plenty of market news to watch.

There's possibly more U.S.-Japanese intervention to support the yen, key economic data, and, whether the U.S. will accept an emerging interim deal being negotiated by Iran and Oman that would give Tehran control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Here's all you need to know about the coming week in financial markets from Amanda Cooper, Dhara Ranasinghe and Alun John in London, Lewis Krauskopf in New York and Rae Wee in Singapore.

1/ THE ANGEL FROM MY NIGHTMARE

A currency languishing at four-decade lows - making fuel imports more expensive during an energy shock - is a nightmare for any policymaker. Right now, that policymaker is in Japan.

Cue Scott Bessent and a well-timed photograph of the U.S. Treasury Secretary's "to-do" list mentioning purchases of yen. Coupled with a rare joint U.S.-Japanese intervention to stem yen weakness, it may have eased Tokyo's concerns.

Job done? Not quite.

FX traders still have plenty of unanswered questions.

First, will policymakers signal that Japan's central bank is preparing a September rate hike to reinforce the yen's rebound? Then there is the bigger question over the use of euros rather than dollars in the U.S. intervention.

Some analysts say that suggests the U.S. Treasury does not want bond market strains worsened by foreign central banks selling Treasuries to fund currency-support operations. The debate over the resilience of the dollar's reserve-currency status is far from over.

2/FUDGE IT

Investors are clutching at yet another deal to end the Gulf conflict and ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. This time, the talks involve Iran and Oman, with no U.S. involvement, or sign-off, so far.

But with the conflict entering its 24th week, expectations that any agreement will hold remain modest. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militias have attacked Saudi Arabia and targeted tankers in the Red Sea, another key route for Gulf oil exports.

With less than five months until midterm elections, the U.S. president wants a deal. Gas prices remain stubbornly above $4 a gallon and, while inflation is not as bad as feared, it's a problem with voters.

For now, optimism about earnings growth and the potential for AI-driven productivity gains may calm investors and encourage acceptance of a near-term fudge for the strait.

3/ SPOTLIGHT ON INFLATION

U.S. inflation data on Wednesday could add to growing pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.

Economists polled by Reuters expect the July consumer price index to rise 3.4% year on year. Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, is forecast to increase 2.5% annually.

Producer price data due a day later will provide a fuller picture of inflation. CPI and PPI figures in the previous month were softer than expected, but inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target.

Retail sales data on August 14 cap a busy week for economic releases.

The Fed held rates steady last month, but three policymakers dissented in favour of a hike. Markets are pricing in roughly even odds of a hike at the Fed's next meeting in September.

4/ TIGHTENING CYCLE OVER?

Things are different down under.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to leave rates unchanged on Tuesday as policymakers assess whether the three hikes delivered this year have done enough to tame inflation.

Recent data showed consumer prices rose at a slower pace in the June quarter, a day after RBA Governor Michele Bullock said the central bank stood ready to raise rates again if needed.

Analysts suspect the RBA to maintain a hawkish stance.

Also in the tightening camp, Norges Bank meets on Thursday but is similarly expected to keep rates on hold, after Norway's core inflation slowed in June.

5/ AN ECONOMIC BURNHAM BOUNCE?

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham will be hoping for good news when Britain publishes GDP data on Thursday for both the second quarter and June.

The monthly figures could see a bounce. June retail sales were unexpectedly strong, helped by spending linked to the soccer World Cup and hot weather.

Lower energy prices that month during the short-lived U.S.-Iran deal could also have helped.

However, the quarterly figure could be less encouraging, as strong growth in the first three months of the year fizzled out in April and May.

Still, Burnham, who took power in July, will be hoping for a surprise similar to that seen in the euro zone. Preliminary data showed the bloc expanded faster than expected in the second quarter. An updated euro zone estimate is also due Thursday.

(Graphics by Kripa Jayaram. Compiled by Alun John. Editing by Mark Potter)

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks drop as Mideast fighting reignites, Fed decision looms
GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks drop as Mideast fighting reignites, Fed decision looms
Jul 29, 2026
(Updated in New York morning time) * Oil prices jump more than 6% as Middle East airstrikes resume * Markets fully price in Fed rate hike by September meeting * US 10-year Treasury yield rises 2.45 basis points to 4.629% By Karen Brettell July 29 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell while oil prices and Treasury yields climbed as fighting in...
Asian Equities Traded in the US as American Depositary Receipts Track Lower in Wednesday Trading
Asian Equities Traded in the US as American Depositary Receipts Track Lower in Wednesday Trading
Jul 29, 2026
10:56 AM EDT, 07/29/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Asian equities traded in the US as American depositary receipts were tracking lower Wednesday morning, declining 0.84% to 2,853.03 on the S&P Asia 50 ADR Index. From North Asia, the gainers were led by education company Four Seasons Education (FEDU) that rose 7% and mobile big data platform Aurora Mobile ( JG )...
CANADA STOCKS-TSX eases from record high as Allied Gold slumps; Fed decision in focus
CANADA STOCKS-TSX eases from record high as Allied Gold slumps; Fed decision in focus
Jul 29, 2026
July 29 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index retreated on Wednesday from the last session's record high, dragged by losses in Allied Gold ( AAUC ) after its C$5.5 billion ($3.90 billion) sale was scrapped, while investors remained cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. The S&P/TSX Composite index dipped 0.6% to 35,544.99 points after rising for three...
CANADA STOCKS-TSX opens lower as Allied Gold slumps; focus on Fed decision
CANADA STOCKS-TSX opens lower as Allied Gold slumps; focus on Fed decision
Jul 29, 2026
July 29 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index opened lower on Wednesday, easing from the last session's from record high, pressured by losses in Allied Gold ( AAUC ) after a proposed C$5.5 billion ($3.90 billion) sale to a Chinese company collapsed, while investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision later in the day....
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved