Although some airlines and luxury clothing companies have reported a softening in European consumer demand, JPMorgan analysts said they "do not think there is clear evidence of incremental weakness developing" in the European clothes-buying consumer.
UK weakness seen in recent months has been "weather-driven", they stressed, with "limited top-line read across" from the luxury and airlines companies.
The performance of Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT)'s cloud computing platform Azure will be a key focus for investors when the tech titan reports its fiscal fourth quarter earnings on Tuesday, July 30, after the stock market closes.
Analysts at UBS see potential Azure upside, from both AI and non-AI/core demand as a major discussion point among investors heading into the print.
Shares in Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LSE:LLOY) fell over 2% after an update from the UK City watchdog on its motor finance review, but analysts said Close Brothers Group PLC (LSE:CBG) was more exposed.
The Financial Conduct Authority delayed the publishing of its 'next steps' from September to March next year and said a consumer redress scheme is "more likely than when we started the review".
St James's Place plc has received a round of applause from City analysts following the wealth manager’s less-terrible-than-expected interim results.
The controversy-stricken wealth manager, which has faced thousands of overcharging claims and a plummeting share price, saw fewer net outflows than predicted in the first half, while funds under management soared to a new record of £181.9 billion.
Irn Bru maker AG Barr PLC (LSE:BAG) showed “strong underlying momentum” in its half-year trading update, according to analysts at house broker Shore Capital.
Despite the unfavourable spring and summer weather in the UK, the company reported a 5% increase in group revenue. The Soft Drinks segment, which includes the iconic Irn-Bru brand, saw a robust 7% growth.
Gaming Realms PLC (AIM:GMR, OTCQX:PSDMF) doesn't get the credit it deserves (certainly in stock market terms), according to a broker that closely follows the gaming group.
Peel Hunt reiterated its 'buy' advice and 60p price target in the wake of a robust trading update.
Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LSE:LLOY) shares have been downgraded by UBS after second-quarter results that were "a touch soft" and do not reflect shares that are trading at a premium to other lenders.
Second-quarter profit before tax was 6% above consensus forecasts, thanks to low bad debts. However, pre-provision profit was 8% below market expectations due to 40% higher car depreciation.
Standard Chartered PLC (LSE:STAN) shares jumped 6% to 770p after posting strong second-quarter results, including substantial shareholder returns, which analysts believe will help close the valuation gap with other FTSE 100 lenders.
Underlying pre-tax profit (PBT) of $1.8 billion was 10% ahead of consensus forecasts. Net interest income was 2% above estimates, while adjusted non-interest income was 2% below expectations due to shortfalls in the market, noted UBS analysts.