Week Ahead: Bank of England Rate Cut Anticipated Amid Heavy Corporate Calendar
The FTSE 100 closed down 64 points, or 0.7%, at 9,068, marking its lowest finish since 23 July and pulling back from record highs set just a day earlier. Banks led the decline, pressured by growing expectations of interest rate cuts, while mining stocks also retreated.
The losses came amid a wider European sell-off, driven by renewed concerns over global trade tensions and the outlook for the US economy.
The coming week is expected to bring a pivotal interest rate decision from the Bank of England, alongside a packed slate of corporate earnings from several major London-listed firms, including BP, Diageo, InterContinental Hotels Group, and WPP.
Monday 4 August
Markets will begin the week digesting results from Clarkson PLC, the shipping services group whose shares have fallen a third since hitting record highs earlier this year. Investors will be watching for any changes to its previously downgraded profit forecast of £85–95 million, down from £115.3 million last year.
Key Announcements:
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UK: Interim results – Clarkson, Kosmos Energy, Senior
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US (after hours): Palantir, MercadoLibre
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Economic data: US Factory Orders
Tuesday 5 August
Focus turns to oil giant BP, which recently suggested its Q2 results might be better than feared. Meanwhile, Diageo is due to publish final results following the abrupt departure of CEO Debra Crew last month. Markets will be watching for forward guidance, particularly on 2026 outlook and sales growth.
UK economic data includes services PMI, new car sales, and a 10-year gilt auction.
Key Announcements:
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Trading updates: BP
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Interim results: Domino’s Pizza, Fresnillo, GlobalData, Keller Group, Rotork, Serica Energy, SIG, Smith & Nephew, Spirent, Travis Perkins
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Final results: Diageo
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US (premarket): Amgen, Caterpillar, Pfizer, Ball Corp
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US (after hours): AMD, Arista Networks, Lemonade, Lucid, Rivian, Snap, Super Micro, Upstart
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Economic data: Services PMIs (China, EU, UK, US), UK new car sales, US ISM Services PMI, API oil stockpiles
Wednesday 6 August
Glencore headlines midweek with interims after a recent rally in its share price, buoyed by expectations of a second-half copper-driven recovery. Also reporting: Legal & General, Hiscox, and Coca-Cola bottlers.
Major US names like Disney, McDonald’s, and Uber are also set to report.
Key Announcements:
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Interim results: 4imprint, Coca-Cola HBC, Coca-Cola Europacific, Georgia Capital, Glencore, Hiscox, Ibstock, Lancashire, Legal & General, Quilter, TP ICAP, Tritax Big Box, Vesuvius
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US (premarket): Disney, McDonald’s, Uber, Novo Nordisk, Shopify, Unity
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US (after hours): Airbnb, Jackson Financial, Occidental Petroleum
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Economic data: UK/EU Construction PMI, EU Retail Sales, US Mortgage Applications, US EIA Crude Report
Thursday 7 August
The Bank of England takes centre stage, with a 25 basis point rate cut widely expected. Analysts are anticipating a split vote among the MPC, as members weigh slowing wage growth against lingering inflation.
Corporate results include WPP, which recently hit a 16-year low after warning on profits, and IHG, expected to maintain its full-year outlook on the back of strong European and Middle Eastern demand.
Key Announcements:
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Trading updates: Flutter Entertainment
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Interim results: Burford Capital, Deliveroo, Dowlais Group, Harbour Energy, Hikma, Hutchmed, IHG, Mears Group, Morgan Advanced Materials, Serco, Spectris, WPP
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US (premarket): Eli Lilly, Merck, Viatris
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US (after hours): Block, Gilead, Pinterest, Take-Two, The Trade Desk, Twilio
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Economic data: UK Halifax House Prices, BoE Rate Decision & MPR, US Jobless Claims, US Wholesale Inventories, US Inflation Expectations, Global Trade Balance
Friday 8 August
The week ends on a quieter note, with results from TBC Bank Group and The Renewables Infrastructure Group. On the economic front, the focus will be on UK housing, French unemployment, and the US oil rig count.
Key Announcements:
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Trading updates: TBC Bank Group
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Interim results: Stelrad, TBC Bank Group, Renewables Infrastructure Group
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US: Cleanspark (earnings)
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Economic data: UK RICS House Prices, France Unemployment, US Baker Hughes Rig Count
