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Stock index futures edge higher as investors weigh Fed and inflation path

Equity sentiment is stabilizing in pre-market trade after a “Fed Day” selloff, with stock index futures edging higher as traders digest the latest rate outlook. The focus remains on whether inflation progress is durable enough to keep the path for future hikes in check. Credit and rates volatility continues to color risk appetite ahead of upcoming macro data.

Source: SeekingAlpha


Meta slides into earnings after its longest losing streak on record

Meta is heading into its next earnings event after a prolonged selloff that marks the company’s worst losing streak on record. The market’s core question is whether AI infrastructure spending is translating into measurable revenue and operating leverage, or whether costs are rising faster than investors expect. With multiple megacap peers reporting soon, Meta’s guidance could set the tone for the broader “AI capex vs. returns” debate.

Source: SeekingAlpha


UBS unveils a $3B share repurchase plan after Q2 profit rises

UBS announced a major buyback following a Q2 net profit increase, signaling confidence in earnings power and capital returns. For bank investors, repurchases are a key litmus test for management’s outlook on credit conditions, capital requirements, and deal activity. The update also adds momentum to European financials as markets search for “earnings + capital” stories.

Source: SeekingAlpha


U.S. bans new foreign-made humanoid robots—raising the stakes for robotics supply chains

The U.S. has moved to restrict certain categories of foreign-made humanoid robots, with implications that extend beyond consumer tech into industrial automation and defense-adjacent innovation. While the immediate headline is about robotics, the real impact is likely to be felt in supply chains, component sourcing, and compliance timelines for vendors selling into the U.S. market. The decision also suggests regulators are increasingly tying emerging technologies to national security priorities.

Source: SeekingAlpha


France Q2 GDP rises 0.2% but annual growth misses expectations

France’s economy grew modestly in Q2, but annual growth came in below forecasts—an outcome that reinforces the “slow growth” backdrop in parts of the euro area. For markets, the key takeaway is that weaker-than-expected growth can complicate the timing of policy normalization and keep pressure on corporate earnings. Investors will likely watch whether this translates into broader softness across employment, investment, and consumption indicators.

Source: SeekingAlpha


China’s DUV push triggers a sharp KOSPI selloff—memory supply risk reprices

South Korea’s benchmark index suffered its worst month on record, with the selloff tied to concerns that China has begun mass production of domestic deep-ultraviolet (DUV) chipmaking tools. The implication is that assumptions underpinning memory earnings—especially about pricing power and supply discipline—may need to be revised. The market’s fast repricing highlights how quickly geopolitics and industrial policy can flow through to equity valuation models.

Source: FinanceFeeds


Wallets and brokers aren’t the only story: regulation is driving “always-on” commodities trading

Institutional liquidity providers are expanding round-the-clock access to energy derivatives, including 24/7 oil CFD liquidity, as geopolitical headlines can hit when traditional exchanges are closed. The shift is increasingly about risk management—reducing weekend gaps, margin shortfalls, and negative-balance events. In parallel, exchanges face regulatory and operational constraints, making OTC providers an early mover in “continuous hedging” capabilities.

Source: FinanceFeeds


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Business — July 30, 2026 | Briefing24