Daily Brief
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Market snapshot · last 24h
Gold -0.54%
$4,129.6
Nasdaq -0.26%
29,107
EUR/USD +0.19%
1.1431
Bitcoin -0.55%
$65,719
Likely market impact typical directional bias under each outcome · not a forecast
rises little change falls
Today 13:15 8:15AM ET EU

Main Refinancing Rate

also covers: Monetary Policy Statement
Better than expectedAs expectedWorse than expected
EUR/USD
DAX
XAU/USD
DXY
  • EUR/USD The euro tends to strengthen if the ECB is more aggressive than expected, and weaken if it is more cautious.
  • DAX European equities tend to fall if the ECB is more aggressive, as higher rates can slow economic growth.
  • XAU/USD Gold tends to weaken when the euro strengthens, as it often moves inversely to the US dollar.
  • DXY The US dollar index tends to fall if the euro strengthens, as the euro is a major component of the index.
Today 13:45 8:45AM ET EU

ECB Press Conference

Better than expectedAs expectedWorse than expected
EUR/USD
DAX
XAU/USD
DXY
  • EUR/USD The euro tends to strengthen if the ECB communicates a more aggressive stance, and weaken if it communicates a more cautious approach.
  • DAX European equities tend to fall if the ECB communicates a more aggressive stance, as higher rates can slow economic growth.
  • XAU/USD Gold tends to weaken when the euro strengthens, as it often moves inversely to the US dollar.
  • DXY The US dollar index tends to fall if the euro strengthens, as the euro is a major component of the index.

Market Brief: July 23, 2026

Today's market activity is centered around key economic events in Europe and the United States, with significant attention on the European Central Bank's (ECB) upcoming announcements. Meanwhile, currency movements and corporate earnings are also in the spotlight.

What's on the calendar

Today, the European Central Bank is set to announce its Main Refinancing Rate, which is expected to remain steady at 2.40%. This will be followed by a Monetary Policy Statement and a press conference, both of which are likely to provide insights into the ECB's future policy direction. Across the Atlantic, the United States will release its weekly unemployment claims, with forecasts predicting a slight increase to 211,000 from the previous 208,000.

What's moving

In the currency markets, the Euro is gaining ground against the US Dollar, trading up by 0.15% at around 1.1430. This movement comes as the Euro outperforms its peers ahead of the ECB's policy decision. Meanwhile, the British Pound faces downside risks against the US Dollar, with expectations of consolidation between 1.3350 and 1.3400. The Canadian Dollar is also gaining traction, supported by rising oil prices amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran.

On the corporate front, CVS Group has reported a 5.9% revenue growth for fiscal 2026, while Volution Group has raised its earnings guidance despite warnings from peers. Additionally, Jupiter has increased its synergy target following a 67% jump in first-half profits.

Bottom line

Today's focus is on the ECB's announcements, which could influence the Euro's trajectory, while US unemployment claims will provide further economic insights. Currency markets are reacting to geopolitical tensions and central bank expectations, with the Euro and Canadian Dollar showing notable movements.

This brief is a snapshot of public commentary at the time of writing — not financial advice.