Crude oil prices remain in focus as uncertainty over an Iran-Oman deal to partially reopen the Strait of Hormuz persists, while US markets traded larg…
US Stock Market | The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite edged higher on Thursday, with the S&P 500 gaining 0.2% and the Nasdaq Composite rising 0.5%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average traded near the flatline. Although the Nasdaq opened lower, it turned positive during the session as gains in semiconductor stocks lifted the technology-heavy index.
Crude oil | Oil rose in a choppy session as the path toward an Iran-Oman deal to partially reopen the Strait of Hormuz appeared less straightforward, with the US position still unclear. Brent climbed near $81 a barrel after swinging between small gains and losses. Futures have been highly sensitive to headlines around progress toward a deal.
US initial jobless claims | Applications for US unemployment benefits were little changed, remaining below 200,000 for a third straight week. Initial claims edged up to 199,000 in the week ended August 1, according to Labour Department data released Thursday. The streak below 200,000 was the longest since 1969, at a time when such low levels were more common, and the US workforce was about half what it is now.
US Labour Market Data | The United States will release key labour market data on Friday, August 7, with the Nonfarm Payrolls, Unemployment Rate, Average Hourly Earnings, and Labour Force Participation Rate scheduled for 7 PM IST.
Corporate Earnings | State Bank of India (SBI) will announce its financial results for the first quarter of FY2027 on Friday, August 7. Other companies scheduled to report their June quarter earnings during the day include Trent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures (Nykaa), Titan Company, Bharti Airtel, Voltas, Bharat Forge, Mahanagar Gas, Tata Chemicals, Aditya Birla Capital, and Aster DM Healthcare.
Global Earnings | Several global companies are scheduled to report earnings on Friday, August 7. Allianz SE will announce its results at 10:30 AM IST, followed by Lotus Bakeries at 12:15 PM IST. ENBW and Kingspan Group are scheduled to report at 1:30 PM IST. Other companies due to announce earnings during the day include Munich Re, Daimler Truck, Amrize AG, CSG N.V., Porsche Automobil Holding SE, MOL Group, Gedeon Richter, Under Armour, Fluor, Take-Two Interactive, and Wendy’s.

