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Global markets are reassessing the Federal Reserve's path after US inflation cooled, pushing traders to pare expectations for further rate hikes. The S&P 500 reached a record high, while US Treasury yields climbed as the government sold 30-year bonds at 5.25%, the highest yield for the maturity since 2001.
Asian stocks advanced as softer US inflation and strong technology demand lifted sentiment. Asian memory stocks gained after SanDisk raised its outlook, while CXMT's market value surpassed Tencent's. Reddit is set to join the S&P 500 on August 18, while JD.com reported its first-ever sales decline.
In the Middle East, Iran and Oman have yet to reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The US is preparing an "economic isolation" strategy for Iran, while the UAE says two oil tankers were attacked by Iran. Oil prices remain supported as the Iran conflict drags on and shipping risks persist.
In technology, OpenAI's revenue run rate has surpassed $40 billion ahead of its potential IPO, while investors are reportedly betting on a $2 trillion valuation for Anthropic. DeepSeek is raising AI prices while maintaining a low-cost advantage, and major technology companies are increasingly turning to debt markets to finance massive AI infrastructure spending. Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is considering a broader privatization push, Turkey raised its inflation forecast, Standard Bank reported record first-half profit, and South Africa's ports and rail operator is seeking $2.2 billion in funding.
We also cover UAE and Qatar companies entering Venezuela through a BP-led gas deal, DP World reporting $585 million in first-half profit, China's technology earnings shifting investor focus toward hardware, and an Ebola outbreak spreading to a sixth province in Congo. Guest includes Noureldeen AlHammoury, Equity Group Chief Market Strategist, Rachel Ziemba, Ziemba Insights Founder and Sim Tshabalala, Standard Bank CEO.
In 2023, Microsoft considered exiting China, where it generated about 1.5% of its global revenue while facing geopolitical risks. The US company has since remained in the market and adopted a new approach to service the Chinese market.#News#Reuters#Newsfeed#microsoft#china#technology
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Novo Nordisk President and CEO Mike Doustdar discusses the company's collaboration with artificial intelligence to accelerate drug discovery and development.
