• Macro:Global equities had a mixed day yesterday with the US trending lower as investors reduced risk ahead of the Fed Chairs update at Jackson Hole later this week. European stocks finished higher, by 0.70%. The S&P 500 fell 0.59% whilst the Nasdaq dropped 1.46%. In the US, seven of eleven sectors were positive with 69.4% of stocks in the green. Real Estate (+1.76%) and Consumer Staples (+0.95%) were the strongest sectors. Information Technology (-1.91%) and Communication Services (-1.18%) were the weakest. AI related companies had a particularly bad day with Palantir falling 9.24%. In Europe ten of eleven sectors were positive with 79.5% of companies finishing higher. Consumer Discretionary (+1.88%) and Materials (+1.58%) were the two strongest sectors. Real Estate (-0.17%) was the only negative sector on the day. JD Sports rose 6.95% after the British sports retailer received a price target upgrade from a leading investment bank. In macro news yesterday the focus remained on potential trilateral talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine in an effort to reach a peace deal. Trump extended a call to Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban to understand Hungary’s reasoning for blocking Ukraine’s membership of the EU. This morning UK CPI for July increased by 0.1% MoM, which reflected an annualised rate of 3.8% (vs Est 3.7%). The rise was mainly attributed to airfare costs. In macro news today, EU July final CPI will be released at 10:00, with the annualised rate expected to remain at 2%. In the US MBA Mortgage Applications for the week ended 15th August will be released at 12:00. At 19:00, FOMC Minutes from the July meeting will be released. Central bank speakers today include the ECB’s Lagarde at 8:10 whilst the Fed’s Waller and Bostic will speak at 16:00 and 20:00 respectively.
• Debt: The Japanese 10-year yield reached its highest level since 2008, at 1.62%. The news highlights the ongoing pressure on longer dated sovereign debt.

Opportunities this week:

• We recently issued an updated research note on CRH. (BUY PT: $100)
• On Friday we met with investor relations from AIB to discuss H1 results and outlook. (HOLD PT: €5.61)
• Last week it was reported that Shell is planning a significant reduction in its oil and gas exploration and development workforce, aiming to cut around 20% of jobs in these units. (BUY PT: £34)