Current News in Economics and Finance for Sunday, August 17, 2025: Global Market Dynamics, Macroeconomic Indicators, Earnings Reports from Public Companies in the US, Europe, Asia, and Russia, and Their Impact on Stock Indices, Currencies, and Commodities.
Global financial markets are ending the week on a positive note, holding near record levels thanks to a series of favorable macroeconomic signals. In the US, the Dow Jones index reached a historical high on Friday, rising approximately 0.09%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite dipped slightly (by 0.25% and 0.36% respectively) due to partial profit-taking in certain sectors. In Europe, the pan-European STOXX 600, which had previously reached a five-month peak, finished the day nearly unchanged (-0.1%). Asian trading also displayed positivity: the Japanese Nikkei 225 soared 1.7%, crossing the 43,000-point mark for the first time. This surge reflects strong investor sentiment amid declining inflation and expectations of a softer monetary policy in the US. With these initial conditions, global markets are entering the new week with an optimistic outlook, bolstered by hopes for an imminent easing of the Federal Reserve's monetary stance.
Key Economic Indicators and Commodity Prices
- Central Bank of Russia Exchange Rate (as of 17.08): $80.02, €93.71, ¥11.11 — unchanged from the previous day. The Russian currency has stabilized around these levels over the weekend following recent weakness, remaining under pressure from external trade factors and expectations regarding the Central Bank's decisions.
- Oil: Brent at approximately $66.3 per barrel (-0.8%), WTI around $63.5 per barrel (-0.9%). Oil prices retreated moderately by week's end after an earlier rise as investors assess recent inventory data and geopolitical signals before forming new positions.
- Gold: approximately $3341 per ounce (steady). The precious metal remains at elevated levels due to the weakening of the US dollar and ongoing uncertainty regarding long-term inflation prospects, which supports demand for safe-haven assets.
- Industrial Production (China, July): +5.7% YoY. The growth rates of China's industrial sector have slowed compared to June, raising concerns about the sustainability of global demand and potentially stimulating expectations for additional economic support measures from Chinese authorities.
- Retail Sales (China, July): +3.7% YoY. Consumer demand in China remains sluggish despite stimulating measures being implemented. Weak retail sales growth in one of the world's largest economies limits optimism in commodity markets reliant on Chinese demand.
- Retail Sales (US, July): +0.5% MoM. American consumers demonstrated robust activity: retail sales growth exceeded analysts' expectations. These strong indicators, coupled with declining inflationary pressures, lower US Treasury bond yields and strengthen investor conviction that the Fed may move toward rate cuts in the coming months.
Russian Market
Russian stock indices ended the week on a positive trajectory. The MOEX index rose firmly above the psychological mark of 3000 points on Friday, reaching 3001.27 points, a new high for the year. Strengthened global risk appetite amid expectations of a softer Fed policy has spurred demand for Russian assets. Simultaneously, the Russian ruble, after a period of decline, has stabilized somewhat: the official exchange rates stood around 80 rubles per dollar and 93.7 rubles per euro. Experts note that expectations of looser monetary policy in the US and stabilizing commodity prices support investor interest in emerging markets, including Russia.
An additional factor for the local market is the enhanced trading that began this weekend on the Moscow Exchange. Since August 16, the exchange has started offering trading in certain instruments on weekends — investors can now trade 150+ futures, stocks, and exchange-traded funds even on Saturdays and Sundays. The first experience of Saturday trading sessions demonstrated moderate participant activity, but experts believe this measure will improve liquidity and provide new arbitrage opportunities. Overall, Russian investors are entering the new week with a positive outlook, focusing on external signals and upcoming domestic events.
US Company Earnings Reports
There is a pause in the corporate sector in the US: no financial reports from major companies (S&P 500) are scheduled for Sunday, August 17. The second quarter earnings season is nearly complete — most blue-chip companies on Wall Street reported in the first half of August. Overall, the results of American companies exceeded fears: a significant portion of businesses managed to increase revenue and maintain profitability despite high interest rates. Particularly strong reports were delivered by the technology sector and consumer companies, supporting the growth of their respective stocks. Investor attention has now shifted from corporate releases to macroeconomic factors and prospects for monetary policy: market participants are assessing how the received inflation and demand data might influence future Fed decisions.
European Company Earnings Reports
European markets also do not expect new financial results from leading corporations over the weekend. The majority of companies included in the Euro Stoxx 50 index have already published their second-quarter results earlier. In general, the European corporate season has progressed well: despite a slowdown in economic growth in the region (Eurozone GDP in Q2 +0.1%), many corporations reported stable profits. The banking sector, benefiting from higher interest rates, and export-oriented industries contributed significantly to the overall profit growth of European companies. This helped European stock indices maintain their achieved levels. Investors continue to monitor news from major banks and industrial leaders in Europe, but key quarterly reports are now behind, and as of August 17, no significant releases are scheduled in Europe.
Asian Company Earnings Reports
No significant corporate earnings reports are expected in Asia on August 17. In Japan and China, the earnings season for major companies is nearing completion: most participants in the Nikkei 225 index have already presented their data for April to June. Many Japanese exporters (automakers, electronics corporations) reported strong profit growth, aided by the weak yen and recovery in external demand. Chinese technology giants also disclosed quarterly results in early August, and while their performance generally met expectations, uncertainty in China's economy dampens investor enthusiasm. In the absence of new reports, Asian markets are focused on macroeconomic indicators and possible stimulus measures from authorities. Market participants in the region are assessing the overall picture: slowing inflation in the US, the exchange rate policy of the Bank of Japan, and China's steps to support the economy.
Russian Company Earnings Reports
On the Russian market, no new financial reports from major public companies are expected on Sunday. Several second-tier issuers are disclosing their financial results for the first half of the year during these days (for instance, on August 16, PJSC "Sovcomflot" presented its IFRS report for six months), but the main reports from blue-chip companies are still ahead. The largest state-owned companies — such as Gazprom, Sberbank, Rosneft, and others — will release their results for the second quarter and the first half of the year closer to the end of August or in September. Therefore, on August 17, no significant corporate events are scheduled, and Russian investors are primarily focused on external factors and overall market sentiment. The new week promises to be eventful: market participants will be monitoring the development of global trends, macro statistics, and the upcoming financial report releases from leaders of the domestic business sector.
