On Tuesday, US stock indices posted strong gains. By the end of the day, the Dow Jones (US30) rose by 1.71%. The S&P 500 (US500) gained 1.79%. The Tech‑heavy NASDAQ (US100) closed Tuesday in positive territory at 2.59%. The main drivers of the rally were strong corporate earnings and declining oil prices amid easing geopolitical tensions and prospects for restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. On the corporate front, Palantir showed a record surge, with its shares jumping 29% after publishing impressive second‑quarter financial results. Semiconductor manufacturers also demonstrated confident growth, led by Intel (+10.8%), Marvell (+13%), Micron (+7.6%), and Broadcom (+6.6%), while industrial giant Caterpillar’s shares rose by 5.5% thanks to strong earnings and an improved revenue outlook.

Canada’s Manufacturing PMI (S&P Global Canada) rose to 53.5 points compared to 53.0 in June, reaching its highest level since June 2022 and confidently defying analysts’ expectations of a decline to 50.2. The indicator recorded growth for the fourth consecutive month, supported by domestic demand, which offset a decline in export orders falling for the second month in a row amid existing tariffs and the Middle East conflict.

By the end of the day, Germany’s DAX (DE40) rose by 0.77%, France’s CAC 40 (FR40) closed up 0.61%, Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) gained 0.21%, while the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100) ended the session slightly higher at 0.20%. On Tuesday, the key German Index DAX 40 closed at a record level, marking its fourth consecutive session of gains. The main drivers of the market were technology sector stocks and companies developing artificial intelligence technologies. Investor sentiment was supported by a strong corporate earnings season and hopes for a rapid diplomatic settlement in the Middle East: oil prices reversed downward after morning gains following a statement by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that an agreement with Iran on unblocking the Strait of Hormuz could be reached as early as Tuesday or Wednesday.

Platinum prices (XPT) remain steadily above 1,700 dollars per ounce, approaching a seven‑week high amid a broad rally in the precious metals segment. The main driver is improved market sentiment thanks to hopes for a swift agreement between the US and Iran and the unblocking of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Additional support came from strong corporate news: South Africa’s Valterra Platinum, which controls about 38% of global primary platinum production, reported a sharp increase in interim profit amid high prices for platinum‑group metals.

On Tuesday, crude oil prices (WTI) plunged by more than 5%, falling below 76 dollars per barrel and fully erasing the morning rally. Pressure on the market came from hopes for intensified diplomatic dialogue between the US and Iran, which significantly reduced investor concerns about potential disruptions in energy supplies. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that an agreement on unblocking the Strait of Hormuz could be reached within days, while Qatari authorities reported preparations for a joint draft resolution aimed at de‑escalating the regional conflict. The situation remains fragile: Iran’s insistence on strict control over shipping in the strait creates persistent risks of renewed geopolitical tension and another surge in commodity prices.

In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) increased by 3.28%, China’s FTSE China 50 closed higher at 0.88%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) decreased by 0.18%, and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) closed yesterday up 1.71%.

On Wednesday, the offshore yuan (CNY) consolidated around 6.74 per US dollar, holding its strongest levels since early February 2023. The Chinese currency was supported by rising global risk appetite amid news of progress in diplomatic efforts to resolve the Middle East crisis. US and Qatari officials reported that mediation efforts had entered an advanced stage, and the prepared draft agreement gives hope for the rapid restoration of safe shipping through the critically important Strait of Hormuz.

The Australian dollar (AUD) consolidated above 0.70 USD, reaching a seven‑week high amid rising global risk appetite, general US dollar weakness, and strong domestic macroeconomic data. The economy was supported by July business activity figures: the composite private‑sector PMI was revised upward to 53.2 points (the highest since January) thanks to confident growth in services and renewed expansion in manufacturing.

The publication of New Zealand’s official labor‑market statistics for the second quarter recorded an increase in unemployment to 5.6%, exceeding analysts’ expectations and reaching the highest level in almost ten years. The deterioration occurred against the backdrop of persistent cost pressures on businesses and a strong influx of new job seekers, whose activity outpaced the rate of new job creation. The increase in available labor resources is also confirmed by a jump in the overall underutilization rate to 13.8% and a rise in the number of unemployed citizens to 171,000 people. The data have heightened uncertainty regarding the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s next steps in monetary policy, as the growing labor‑supply surplus may help restrain inflationary pressure in the national economy.