BMW stays on course despite Trump's tariffs
European carmakers are still digesting a new 15% tariff agreed between the European Union and U.S. President Donald Trump, which is lower than the current rate but still poses a major obstacle to their export-focused business.
Of the deal, BMW said it assumed negotiations were ongoing, adding that its forecast included mitigating measures in response to increased tariffs.
In 2025, the group expects a tariff-related impact of around 1.25 percentage points on its automotive segment's profit margin, the company said. In the first half of the year, the impact was some 1.5 points.
In the second quarter, the EBIT margin in the segment came in at 5.4%, just missing analysts' forecast for 5.5% in a company-provided poll, but within its 2025 target range of 5.0% to 7.0%.
BMW's results come after peers Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz reported hefty blows to their earnings and cut their outlooks.
BMW, whose biggest plant is in the United States and is the country's top auto exporter by value, has been more upbeat.
"Our footprint in the U.S. is helping us limit the impact of tariffs," CFO Walter Mertl said in a statement.
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Trump tariffs live updates: Trump says pharma tariffs could go to 250%, threatens EU if it fails on investment pledge
President Trump on Tuesday said he would announce tariffs on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports "within the next week or so," as he prepares to add more sectoral duties to his mix of tariffs. "We'll be putting a initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year — one and a half years, maximum — it's going to go to 150%. And then it's going to go to 250%, because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country," Trump said during a CNBC interview. Trump also threatened the European Union with increased tariffs if it failed to live up to a pledge to invest some $600 billion in the US. Meanwhile, the world is awaiting Trump's country-specific duties and jockeying ahead of their implementation. India has called out Trump after he threatened to "substantially raise" tariffs on Indian exports over its Russian oil purchases, slamming the move as unjustified. India said it would protect its interest and accused the US of a double standard on trade with Russia. Trump has signed an order to hike tariffs on Canada to 35%, while setting rates from 10% to 40% on dozens of partners. Those duties are set to come into full effect this week. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul has more details on the latest orders. You can see the new rates Trump is set to levy in the graphic below: In the past several days, Trump has unleashed a flurry of deals and trade moves leading up to his self-imposed deadline: Trump granted Mexico, the US's largest trading partner, a 90-day reprieve on higher tariffs. The US agreed to a trade deal with South Korea. The agreement includes a 15% tariff rate on imports from the country, while the US will not be charged a tariff on its exports, Trump said. Trump imposed 50% tariffs on semi-finished copper products starting Aug. 1. The president signed an order to end the de minimis exemption on low-value imports under $800, thereby applying tariffs from Aug. 29. Trump signed another order to impose a total of 50% tariffs on many goods from Brazil. However, it exempts key US imports like orange juice and aircraft parts that benefit Embraer (ERJ). The US and EU agreed to a trade deal that imposes 15% tariffs on EU goods. The nations are still working on finalizing many terms of the deal. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet Here are the latest updates as the policy reverberates around the world. EU continues to press for tariff exemption on wine, spirits as part of US deal The EU is pushing for its wine and spirit exports to be exempt from US tariffs, while both sides work towards refining the deal they agreed last month. The WSJ reports: Read more here. Countries push for last-minute deals as Thursday tariff deadline looms Global importers are bracing for President Trump's next tariff deadline on Thursday morning, when the president's tiered approach to tariffs is expected to take effect. Yet some of the details around trade agreements remain fuzzy. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports: Read more here. Trump's copper tariffs apply to $15B of products so far President Trump's copper (HG=F) tariffs are due to hit imports valued at more than $15B in 2024, highlighting the potential inflationary impact on American manufacturers. Trump's unveiling of 50% import duties rattled the global copper market last week, because the US president provided a surprise exemption to key forms of wiring metal. But it still leaves significant trade volumes subject to tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Trump threatens EU with increased tariffs if it doesn't meet investment pledge President Trump threatened to hike tariffs on the European Union back to 35% if the bloc fails to live up to a pledge to invest some $600 billion in the US. "A couple of countries came [and said], 'How come the EU is paying less than us?' And I said well, because they gave me $600 billion," Trump said during a CNBC interview. "And that's a gift, that's not like, you know, a loan," he said, claiming that the terms allow the US to direct where the EU invests. Trump says pharma duties could go to 250% President Trump said he would announce tariffs on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports "within the next week or so." "We'll be putting a initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year — one and a half years, maximum — it's going to go to 150%. And then it's going to go to 250%, because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country," Trump said during a CNBC interview. He said semiconductor and chip tariffs would be in a "different category." US tariff on EU goods set at flat 15% The EU said on Tuesday that European Union goods entering the US face a flat 15% tariff, including cars and car parts. The rate includes the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff and won't exceed 15% even if the US raises tariffs on items like semiconductors and medicines. The EU said it still expects turbulence in its trade dealings with the US. Reuters reports: Read more here. India hits back at Trump's tariff threat India has called out President Trump after he threatened to "substantially raise" tariffs on Indian exports over its Russian oil purchases, slamming the move as unjustified. New Delhi said it would take all necessary steps to protect its economic interests. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Nvidia partner Hon Hai's July sales growth weakened by tariffs Nvidia's (NVDA) main server assembly partner Hon Hai Precision ( reported a sales slowdown for July due to US tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Mazda forecasts nearly $1B profit hit from US tariffs Reuters reports: Read more here. Diageo warns of $200M tariff hit Diageo (DEO) warned of a $200 million impact from tariffs on Tuesday and forecast flat full-year sales, after a periof of demand, share price turbulence and a sudden CEO exit. Reuters reports: Read more here. Trump administration posts guidance on tariff rollout Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Rolex, luxury watchmakers brace for Trump's tariffs on Swiss imports Yahoo Finance's Pras Subramanian reports: Read more here. Trump says he will 'substantially' raise tariffs on India President Trump said on Monday he will "substantially" raise tariffs on India. Stocks still remained in rally mode following Friday's sell-off. "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits," wrote Trump on Monday morning. "They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA," he added. President Trump's sweeping tariffs are set to come into full effect later this week. Last week, Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods from India, plus an additional import tax because of the country's purchasing of Russian oil. Swiss prepare 'more attractive offer' to US to avert 39% tariff Bloomberg reports: Read more here. EU to suspend US tariff countermeasures for 6 months The European Union announced on Monday that it would suspend its two packages of US tariff countermeasures for 6 months. This follows the trade deal the US and EU reached last week Sunday. Reuters reports: Read more here. Swiss gold trading takes spotlight in trade talks with Trump President Trump's tariffs on Switzerland were prompted by the country being the world's largest hub for gold refining. Gold flows in from places like South America, Africa and gets processed in Switzerland and then exported to countries like the US. This gold trade makes Switzerland's exports to the US look large and the refiners don't get to keep most of the profits. Bloomberg News: Read more here. Greer says US-China talks 'about halfway there' on rare earths US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Sunday that rare earths were a key focus in last week's Stockholm talks. He told CBS the US had secured supply commitments from China but noted the two sides are "about halfway there." Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Swatch CEO calls on Swiss president to meet Trump to solve tariff dispute Swiss stocks took a hit on Monday as the market reopened after a holiday. Worries about the impact of President Trump's 39% export tariffs and a push for drugmakers to lower prices have caused tension in the market. In addition, Swatch Group ( Chief Executive Nick Hayek called on Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter to meet President Trump in Washington to negotiate a better deal than the 39% tariffs announced on Swiss imports into the United States. Hayek told Reuters on Monday he was confident an agreement could still be reached before the tariffs, which were announced on Friday, went into effect on Aug. 7. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Malaysia agrees to boost tech, LNG purchases from US as part of trade deal Reuters reports: Read more here. Trump presses India, China to halt Russian oil buys as trade talks roll on The US and China are making progress on a trade deal, but a major sticking point remains: Washington wants Beijing to stop buying oil from Iran and Russia. China has pushed back, saying it will secure energy based on its own national interests. 'China will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve our national interests,' China's Foreign Ministry posted on X on Wednesday following two days of trade negotiations in Stockholm, responding to the U.S. threat of a 100% tariff. 'Coercion and pressuring will not achieve anything. China will firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests," the ministry said. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected pressure from President Trump, encouraging people to buy local goods. India has not told its oil refiners to stop purchasing Russian oil, and those decisions remain up to each company. 'The world economy is going through many apprehensions — there is an atmosphere of instability,' Modi said at a rally in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. 'Now, whatever we buy, there should be only one scale: we will buy those things which have been made by the sweat of an Indian.' EU continues to press for tariff exemption on wine, spirits as part of US deal The EU is pushing for its wine and spirit exports to be exempt from US tariffs, while both sides work towards refining the deal they agreed last month. The WSJ reports: Read more here. The EU is pushing for its wine and spirit exports to be exempt from US tariffs, while both sides work towards refining the deal they agreed last month. The WSJ reports: Read more here. Countries push for last-minute deals as Thursday tariff deadline looms Global importers are bracing for President Trump's next tariff deadline on Thursday morning, when the president's tiered approach to tariffs is expected to take effect. Yet some of the details around trade agreements remain fuzzy. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports: Read more here. Global importers are bracing for President Trump's next tariff deadline on Thursday morning, when the president's tiered approach to tariffs is expected to take effect. Yet some of the details around trade agreements remain fuzzy. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports: Read more here. Trump's copper tariffs apply to $15B of products so far President Trump's copper (HG=F) tariffs are due to hit imports valued at more than $15B in 2024, highlighting the potential inflationary impact on American manufacturers. Trump's unveiling of 50% import duties rattled the global copper market last week, because the US president provided a surprise exemption to key forms of wiring metal. But it still leaves significant trade volumes subject to tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. President Trump's copper (HG=F) tariffs are due to hit imports valued at more than $15B in 2024, highlighting the potential inflationary impact on American manufacturers. Trump's unveiling of 50% import duties rattled the global copper market last week, because the US president provided a surprise exemption to key forms of wiring metal. But it still leaves significant trade volumes subject to tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Trump threatens EU with increased tariffs if it doesn't meet investment pledge President Trump threatened to hike tariffs on the European Union back to 35% if the bloc fails to live up to a pledge to invest some $600 billion in the US. "A couple of countries came [and said], 'How come the EU is paying less than us?' And I said well, because they gave me $600 billion," Trump said during a CNBC interview. "And that's a gift, that's not like, you know, a loan," he said, claiming that the terms allow the US to direct where the EU invests. President Trump threatened to hike tariffs on the European Union back to 35% if the bloc fails to live up to a pledge to invest some $600 billion in the US. "A couple of countries came [and said], 'How come the EU is paying less than us?' And I said well, because they gave me $600 billion," Trump said during a CNBC interview. "And that's a gift, that's not like, you know, a loan," he said, claiming that the terms allow the US to direct where the EU invests. Trump says pharma duties could go to 250% President Trump said he would announce tariffs on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports "within the next week or so." "We'll be putting a initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year — one and a half years, maximum — it's going to go to 150%. And then it's going to go to 250%, because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country," Trump said during a CNBC interview. He said semiconductor and chip tariffs would be in a "different category." President Trump said he would announce tariffs on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports "within the next week or so." "We'll be putting a initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year — one and a half years, maximum — it's going to go to 150%. And then it's going to go to 250%, because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country," Trump said during a CNBC interview. He said semiconductor and chip tariffs would be in a "different category." US tariff on EU goods set at flat 15% The EU said on Tuesday that European Union goods entering the US face a flat 15% tariff, including cars and car parts. The rate includes the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff and won't exceed 15% even if the US raises tariffs on items like semiconductors and medicines. The EU said it still expects turbulence in its trade dealings with the US. Reuters reports: Read more here. The EU said on Tuesday that European Union goods entering the US face a flat 15% tariff, including cars and car parts. The rate includes the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff and won't exceed 15% even if the US raises tariffs on items like semiconductors and medicines. The EU said it still expects turbulence in its trade dealings with the US. Reuters reports: Read more here. India hits back at Trump's tariff threat India has called out President Trump after he threatened to "substantially raise" tariffs on Indian exports over its Russian oil purchases, slamming the move as unjustified. New Delhi said it would take all necessary steps to protect its economic interests. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. India has called out President Trump after he threatened to "substantially raise" tariffs on Indian exports over its Russian oil purchases, slamming the move as unjustified. New Delhi said it would take all necessary steps to protect its economic interests. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Nvidia partner Hon Hai's July sales growth weakened by tariffs Nvidia's (NVDA) main server assembly partner Hon Hai Precision ( reported a sales slowdown for July due to US tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Nvidia's (NVDA) main server assembly partner Hon Hai Precision ( reported a sales slowdown for July due to US tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Mazda forecasts nearly $1B profit hit from US tariffs Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Diageo warns of $200M tariff hit Diageo (DEO) warned of a $200 million impact from tariffs on Tuesday and forecast flat full-year sales, after a periof of demand, share price turbulence and a sudden CEO exit. Reuters reports: Read more here. Diageo (DEO) warned of a $200 million impact from tariffs on Tuesday and forecast flat full-year sales, after a periof of demand, share price turbulence and a sudden CEO exit. Reuters reports: Read more here. Trump administration posts guidance on tariff rollout Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Rolex, luxury watchmakers brace for Trump's tariffs on Swiss imports Yahoo Finance's Pras Subramanian reports: Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Pras Subramanian reports: Read more here. Trump says he will 'substantially' raise tariffs on India President Trump said on Monday he will "substantially" raise tariffs on India. Stocks still remained in rally mode following Friday's sell-off. "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits," wrote Trump on Monday morning. "They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA," he added. President Trump's sweeping tariffs are set to come into full effect later this week. Last week, Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods from India, plus an additional import tax because of the country's purchasing of Russian oil. President Trump said on Monday he will "substantially" raise tariffs on India. Stocks still remained in rally mode following Friday's sell-off. "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits," wrote Trump on Monday morning. "They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA," he added. President Trump's sweeping tariffs are set to come into full effect later this week. Last week, Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods from India, plus an additional import tax because of the country's purchasing of Russian oil. Swiss prepare 'more attractive offer' to US to avert 39% tariff Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. EU to suspend US tariff countermeasures for 6 months The European Union announced on Monday that it would suspend its two packages of US tariff countermeasures for 6 months. This follows the trade deal the US and EU reached last week Sunday. Reuters reports: Read more here. The European Union announced on Monday that it would suspend its two packages of US tariff countermeasures for 6 months. This follows the trade deal the US and EU reached last week Sunday. Reuters reports: Read more here. Swiss gold trading takes spotlight in trade talks with Trump President Trump's tariffs on Switzerland were prompted by the country being the world's largest hub for gold refining. Gold flows in from places like South America, Africa and gets processed in Switzerland and then exported to countries like the US. This gold trade makes Switzerland's exports to the US look large and the refiners don't get to keep most of the profits. Bloomberg News: Read more here. President Trump's tariffs on Switzerland were prompted by the country being the world's largest hub for gold refining. Gold flows in from places like South America, Africa and gets processed in Switzerland and then exported to countries like the US. This gold trade makes Switzerland's exports to the US look large and the refiners don't get to keep most of the profits. Bloomberg News: Read more here. Greer says US-China talks 'about halfway there' on rare earths US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Sunday that rare earths were a key focus in last week's Stockholm talks. He told CBS the US had secured supply commitments from China but noted the two sides are "about halfway there." Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Sunday that rare earths were a key focus in last week's Stockholm talks. He told CBS the US had secured supply commitments from China but noted the two sides are "about halfway there." Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Swatch CEO calls on Swiss president to meet Trump to solve tariff dispute Swiss stocks took a hit on Monday as the market reopened after a holiday. Worries about the impact of President Trump's 39% export tariffs and a push for drugmakers to lower prices have caused tension in the market. In addition, Swatch Group ( Chief Executive Nick Hayek called on Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter to meet President Trump in Washington to negotiate a better deal than the 39% tariffs announced on Swiss imports into the United States. Hayek told Reuters on Monday he was confident an agreement could still be reached before the tariffs, which were announced on Friday, went into effect on Aug. 7. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Swiss stocks took a hit on Monday as the market reopened after a holiday. Worries about the impact of President Trump's 39% export tariffs and a push for drugmakers to lower prices have caused tension in the market. In addition, Swatch Group ( Chief Executive Nick Hayek called on Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter to meet President Trump in Washington to negotiate a better deal than the 39% tariffs announced on Swiss imports into the United States. Hayek told Reuters on Monday he was confident an agreement could still be reached before the tariffs, which were announced on Friday, went into effect on Aug. 7. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Malaysia agrees to boost tech, LNG purchases from US as part of trade deal Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Trump presses India, China to halt Russian oil buys as trade talks roll on The US and China are making progress on a trade deal, but a major sticking point remains: Washington wants Beijing to stop buying oil from Iran and Russia. China has pushed back, saying it will secure energy based on its own national interests. 'China will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve our national interests,' China's Foreign Ministry posted on X on Wednesday following two days of trade negotiations in Stockholm, responding to the U.S. threat of a 100% tariff. 'Coercion and pressuring will not achieve anything. China will firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests," the ministry said. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected pressure from President Trump, encouraging people to buy local goods. India has not told its oil refiners to stop purchasing Russian oil, and those decisions remain up to each company. 'The world economy is going through many apprehensions — there is an atmosphere of instability,' Modi said at a rally in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. 'Now, whatever we buy, there should be only one scale: we will buy those things which have been made by the sweat of an Indian.' The US and China are making progress on a trade deal, but a major sticking point remains: Washington wants Beijing to stop buying oil from Iran and Russia. China has pushed back, saying it will secure energy based on its own national interests. 'China will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve our national interests,' China's Foreign Ministry posted on X on Wednesday following two days of trade negotiations in Stockholm, responding to the U.S. threat of a 100% tariff. 'Coercion and pressuring will not achieve anything. China will firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests," the ministry said. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected pressure from President Trump, encouraging people to buy local goods. India has not told its oil refiners to stop purchasing Russian oil, and those decisions remain up to each company. 'The world economy is going through many apprehensions — there is an atmosphere of instability,' Modi said at a rally in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. 'Now, whatever we buy, there should be only one scale: we will buy those things which have been made by the sweat of an Indian.'
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
BP fuels FTSE 100 but soft US data tempers gains
The FTSE 100 climbed on Tuesday boosted by another day of well-received earnings, with Smith & Nephew, Diageo and BP all in favour, although weak US data saw progress fade late in the trading session. 'Strong corporate results are helping as they show businesses can still thrive despite the turbulent backdrop,' said Russ Mould, at AJ Bell. The FTSE 100 Index closed up 14.43 points, 0.2%, at 9,142.73. It had earlier traded as high as 9,177.95. The FTSE 250 ended 42.19 points higher, 0.2%, at 21,901.69, and the AIM All-Share ended up 4.59 points, 0.6%, at 763.48. Well-received earnings provided a lift in London, with index heavyweights BP and Diageo to the fore. Oil major BP rose 2.8% after better-than-expected second-quarter results. The strong earnings, coming on the back of a major hydrocarbon discovery in Brazil, will improve the investment mood music and be helpful for management credibility, analysts said. Underlying replacement cost profit of 2.35 billion dollars was well ahead of company compiled consensus for 1.82 billion dollars but 15% below 2.76 billion dollars a year ago. Alastair Syme, at Citi, said: 'After several quarters where earnings have not lived up to expectations, BP's 2Q25 is significantly better than market forecasts.' 'In the space of two days – yesterday's potentially highly material Bumerangue discovery in Brazil and today's earnings trajectory – we believe there are credible reasons for the investors to revisit the BP investment story,' he added. On Monday, BP reported new oil and gas findings at its Bumerangue offshore mining block, calling the discovery its 'largest in 25 years'. Alongside results, BP said it will conduct a thorough review of its businesses, including targeting further cost cuts. The company is two quarters into a 12-quarter plan and chief executive Murray Auchincloss said he was 'encouraged' by the early progress, but added 'we know there's much more to do'. Diageo climbed 4.9% after full-year results provided some reassurance, although they failed to sway some commentators. The London-based brewer and distiller, which owns brands ranging from Guinness stout to Johnnie Walker whisky, on Tuesday reported a decline of more than a third in its bottom line in the financial year that ended in June, as a slight decline in net sales was compounded by impairment and restructuring costs, unfavourable currency movements, and narrowed operating margins. Even so, Diageo said its results were in line with guidance. Bank of America said: 'While the environment remains challenging, it is clear that management is stepping up what it can control, and we believe these results will reassure.' Richard Hunter, at interactive investor, said there are 'emerging glimmers of hope'. But James Edwards Jones, at RBC Capital Markets, said the results do not 'advance the investment case – positive or negative – materially'. Smith & Nephew was the best blue chip performer, up 15%, as it said revenue growth accelerated in the second quarter of 2025. The Watford-based medical devices maker said pre-tax profit jumped 43% to 362 million dollars in the half year that ended June 28 from 253 million dollars a year prior. Revenue increased 4.7% to 2.96 billion dollars in the half year from 2.83 billion dollars a year ago, including a 1.55 billion dollar contribution in the second quarter, up 7.8% from 1.44 billion dollars last year. Chief executive Deepak Nath called it a 'strong performance'. The transformation of Smith & Nephew is starting to deliver 'substantial value', Mr Nath added. In Europe on Tuesday, the CAC 40 in Paris fell 0.1%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt rose 0.4%. In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.3%, the S&P 500 was 0.6% lower, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.8%. Palantir jumped 5.9% after it raised annual guidance after quarterly revenue hit one billion dollars for the first time, while drugs firm Pfizer climbed 4.5% and also raised its annual outlook after 'another strong quarter'. But Wall Street fell back overall after figures showed the US service sector slowed down in July. Wells Fargo noted the Institute for Supply Management service sector index fell to 50.1 in July from 50.8 in June, the third-lowest reading since the pandemic year of 2020, and below consensus which had expected an improvement to 51.5. TD Economics said the softer trend in ISM services is 'indicative of slowing US economic activity – a theme that we anticipate will become more entrenched in the third quarter'. 'While the Fed will have to tread carefully with ongoing signals of an uptick in price pressures ahead, growth-related concerns are likely to dominate and should get the Fed moving when it comes to easing monetary policy,' it added. The dollar was mixed after the data. The pound rose to 1.3301 dollars late on Tuesday afternoon in London, compared with 1.3287 dollars at the equities close on Monday. The euro traded at 1.1579 dollars, higher against 1.1568 dollars. Against the yen, the dollar was trading higher at 147.42 yen compared with 147.30 yen. The yield on the US 10-year Treasury was at 4.20%, trimmed from 4.22%. The yield on the US 30-year Treasury was 4.77%, narrowed from 4.81% from Monday. Data showed growth in the UK's key service sector slowed but beat expectations in July, amid an 'unfavourable global economic backdrop' while optimism improved as US tariff concerns faded. The S&P Global UK services purchasing managers' business activity index fell to 51.8 points in July from 52.8 in June, but beat the July 24 flash reading of a sharper fall to 51.2 in July. The composite PMI meanwhile eased to 51.5 in July from 52.0 in June, outperforming the 51.0 flash reading. On the FTSE 250, Northampton-based building materials provider Travis Perkins climbed 5.6% as it reported improving revenue trends at its Merchanting business, while well-received results, including strong orders, supported industrial flow control equipment manufacturer Rotork up 6.6%. Close Brothers rose a further 6.8% after the favourable motor finance ruling but Domino's Pizza was off the menu, down 18%, after it lowered its annual outlook, with 'weak' consumer confidence keeping a lid on sales growth. Brent oil was quoted lower at 68.04 dollars a barrel in London on Tuesday, down from 69.20 dollars late on Monday. Gold firmed to 3,385.82 dollars an ounce against 3,372.82 dollars. The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Smith & Nephew, up 177 pence at 1,331p, Fresnillo, up 86p at 1,520p, Diageo, up 89p at 1,904p, Melrose Industries, up 26.8p at 575p, and BP, up 11.4p at 417.4p. The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were Relx, down 90p at 3,814p, Lloyds Banking Group, down 1.8p at 80.7p, 3i, down 84p at 4,029p, Games Workshop, down 300p at 16, Experian, down 70p at 3,859p. Wednesday's local corporate calendar has half-year results from miner Glencore, insurance broker Hiscox and insurer Legal & General. The global economic calendar on Wednesday has eurozone retail sales and construction PMI readings in the UK and across Europe. Contributed by Alliance News
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shopify Q2 Preview: Tariff Noise and GMV Leverage in Focus
Shopify (NASDAQ:SHOP) reports second-quarter 2025 earnings before the open on August 6. Analysts forecast EPS of $0.29 on approximately $2.54 billion in revenue, about 25% YoY growth. Shares are up roughly 92% over the past 12 months and 9% below its 52-week high hit in February 2025. Investor focus remains on GMV, monetization, and merchant exposure to trade friction. Last quarter, total GMV grew 23% to $75 billion. Analysts will look for continued momentum in platform sales, take?rate stability, and revenue per merchant, particularly within Merchant Solutions, where margins are more exposed to cross-border trade costs. Tariffs have become a merchant-level risk. Shopify executives highlighted at Q1 earnings that just 1% of GMV originates from Chinese imports, but cross-border commerce contributed 15% of total GMV. The elimination of the U.S. de minimis exemption for China means merchants now face duties on low-value imports. Shopify has responded with AI-powered tariff guidance tools and expanded duties?collection functionality at checkout to help merchants mitigate cost exposure and friction. AI and international merchant expansion also matter. Shopify continues to roll out AI tools to drive merchant efficiency and boost international cross-border sales. Investors will assess whether Q2 commentary confirms traction in these segments, especially Europe, Managed Markets, and new logistics partnerships, all critical to sustaining profitability as trade friction rises. At a valuation pricing in robust growth, Shopify needs Q2 commentary that reaffirms GMV momentum, merchant loyalty, and the value of its trade?navigation toolkit. Any sign of softening volume or take?rate pressure could signal vulnerability. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
