July 23, 2026

US equities held near recent highs as a heavy week of second-quarter results produced sharp divergences, with Super Micro Computer surging on stronger profitability while GE Vernova and Reddit fell despite differing circumstances.

The average 30-year conventional contract mortgage rate rose to an 11-month high of 6.69% as oil futures gained a further 3% on reports of broadening US strikes in Iran, pushing the 10-year Treasury yield toward its year-to-date peak.

Health insurers selling Affordable Care Act marketplace plans across 16 states and the District of Columbia have asked regulators to approve a median premium increase of 14% for 2027, which would be the second-highest rise since 2018.

India's insurance regulator has revised remuneration norms so that a significant portion of variable pay for insurance CEOs and senior executives depends on claims settlement speed, grievance redressal and broader policyholder outcomes.

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has introduced ICICI Pru Signature Secure, described as the Indian life insurance industry's first unit linked insurance plan to incorporate a guarantee alongside market-linked returns.

UK consumer price inflation slowed to 2.6% in the year to June, below the 2.7% economists expected, as petrol prices fell for the first time since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East.

The UK motor insurance market is forecast to be loss-making in 2026 after only breaking even the previous year, according to analysis from EY, as premium reductions collide with persistent claims cost pressure.

Japan's Nikkei 225 remained close to record highs on technology strength as investors positioned for the Bank of Japan's 30-31 July meeting, with board members signalling a continued path toward a neutral rate near 2%.

South Korea's central bank raised its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 2.75% in a unanimous vote, its first increase in three and a half years, citing persistent inflation, rising household debt and climbing Seoul-area house prices.

The Bank of Canada kept its overnight rate at 2.25% on 15 July, a sixth consecutive hold, saying the economy is showing signs of improvement while oil-driven inflation should ease back toward the 2% target by early 2027.

Australia's prudential regulator has opened consultation on a set of updates to its prudential and reporting framework covering banks, general, life and private health insurers and superannuation licensees, and granted a foreign banking licence to Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore, working with financial institutions and fintech firms, has released a white paper setting out a framework for keeping autonomous AI agents operating safely and reliably within financial services.

Banks and insurers operating in the UAE have until 16 September 2026 to align with the country's overhauled Central Bank Law, which consolidates banking and insurance regulation and significantly expands the regulator's enforcement powers.

German reinsurer Munich Re is reviewing the revenue outlook for its property and casualty reinsurance division as softer market conditions weigh on growth, its chief financial officer told a German business newspaper.

France's finance minister has warned the country may miss its 5% deficit target this year after cutting the growth forecast to 0.7%, with an additional 3 billion euros of spending cuts announced to limit the shortfall.