17.07.202617:26:08UTC+00Week Ahead - Jul 20th

Tensions between the US and Iran will remain in sharp global focus after recent strikes escalated, with knock-on effects for energy prices and, in turn, central banks’ interest rate outlooks. At the same time, the AI-driven equity trade will face a fresh test as a new wave of results from hyperscalers, chipmakers, and infrastructure providers comes into view, including earnings from Alphabet, Intel, Tesla, and GE Vernova.

In the US, a relatively light data calendar will be dominated by forward-looking indicators, notably the S&P PMIs, the Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index, and a series of regional Federal Reserve surveys. In Europe, the ECB will announce its latest policy decision, accompanied by a run of confidence and sentiment gauges. The UK will release key macro data, including inflation figures, the unemployment rate, and retail sales.

In Asia, Japan is scheduled to publish its trade balance and CPI data. Elsewhere, South Korea will report its Q2 GDP, while Canada will release its latest consumer inflation numbers. On the political front, Labour Party leader Andy Burnham is expected to take office as the next UK Prime Minister.