Key facts
- US stocks rose, led by AI sentiment and tech earnings.
- French 10-year bond yields hit 5% for the first time since 2002.
- Anthropic reported an $80.7 billion net loss in H1 2026, mainly due to an accounting charge.
- US pending home sales and housing starts hit multi-year lows.
- UK government borrowing surpassed £3 trillion, with debt interest payments rising.
- Sterling gained nearly 3% against the euro in the past month.
Wall Street stocks advanced on Wednesday, with AI sentiment and tech earnings overshadowing calmer energy, currency, and bond markets. The S&P 500 gained 0.6%, the Dow 0.7%, and the Nasdaq 1%. Tech and communications services were among the leading sectors. Meta shares rose after hours on earnings, while Tesla and IBM also saw gains.
In Europe, French 10-year bond yields climbed above 5% for the first time since 2002, reflecting concerns over debt. The US 20-year Treasury auction saw its highest yield since 1986. Oil prices were mixed, with Brent steady and WTI lower, while gold remained little changed.
AI firm Anthropic reported a significant net loss of $80.7 billion in the first half of 2026, largely due to an accounting charge, though revenue was over $16 billion. Meanwhile, US housing market data showed pending home sales and housing starts at multi-year lows, with homebuilder sentiment also plummeting.
In the UK, government borrowing surpassed £3 trillion, increasing debt interest payments. Despite fiscal challenges, market expectations point to a Bank of England rate hike on November 5, with sterling surging against the euro.