European equity markets are expected to rise in the wake of Wall Street on August 15, 2022. The Eurostoxx opens at 50 3,776.81 points (+0.53%); the CAC at 40 6,553.86 points (+0.14%); the DAX at 0 13,795.85 points (+0.74%); the FTSE at 100 7.500.89 points (+0.47%); the SMI at 11,128.24 points (-0.24%); the AEX at 725.76 points (+0.00%); the BEL at 20 3.844.21 points (+0.11%); the IBEX at 35 8,400.40 points (+0.24%); the DJIA at 33,761.05 points (+1.27%); the Nasdaq at 13.047.19 points (+2.09%); the S&P at 500 4,280.15 points (+1.73%); the Nikkei at 225 28,868.58 points (+1.13%).

Regarding exchange rates, the change from the close mentioned that in New York, the EUR/USD is at 1.0254 (-0.05%) the EUR/JPY at 136.61 (-0.24%/) and the USD/JPY at 133.23 (-0.17%).

Biotechnology company Valneva announced Monday that it has filed a supplemental prospectus in advance of an equity financing program with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. securities regulator. The company may issue under this program to eligible investors a total gross amount of up to $75 million. This is approximately 73.2 million euros. In a statement, Valneva said that "in the form of American Depositary Shares ("ADS"), each ADS represents two shares of the company's common stock.

On this Assumption Day holiday, no economic indicators are to be published.

On Monday, European equity markets are expected to open higher. This was part of Wall Street's sharp rise on Friday. This is on the back of signs of easing inflation and improving household confidence in the US. Indeed, the CAC 40 futures contract was up 22.8 points at around 7:40 a.m., or 0.4 percentage points according to data from broker IG Markets. Also, for a percentage of 0.3 the DAX 40 contract was up 42 points and the FTSE 100 was up 30 points, 0.4%. Michael Hewson market analyst at CMC Markets UK informs that: "The strong performance of the U.S. markets is likely to have something to do with it, as moderating inflation tempers expectations ofThe strong performance of the US markets is likely to be a factor, as moderating inflation tempers expectations that the Fed's monetary policy decision will be as aggressive as previously expected in terms of rate hikes". On Monday, Asian equity markets moved mixed, but with limited declines, after the Chinese central bank unexpectedly cut two interest rates. It was a move that was offset by disappointing data that showed China's economic growth slowed in July.

The probability of a 50 basis point Fed rate hike in September rose to 57.5%, compared with 42.5% for a 75 basis point hike, according to exchange operator CME's FedWatch tool. Indeed, the improved inflation numbers are fueling hopes that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will not raise interest rates as much as anticipated. Thus, the central bankers could contain a still very high inflation without pushing the economy into recession, and allow a soft landing Capital Economics states to this effect: "We still expect another small rise in 10-year Treasury yields by the end of the year...which could put further pressure on commodity prices, and gold in particular, in the months ahead."

Like the greenback, on Monday morning, the euro was almost stable against the dollar. However, it has lost ground against the yen. Thus, on Friday, the dollar clearly appreciated. It is supported by the hope that inflation in the U.S. has peaked. According to a Bank of America survey of investors, 57% of the participants in the survey showed that their main macroeconomic concern was that the Federal Reserve would feel the pinch.In a Bank of America survey of investors, 57% of respondents said their main macroeconomic concern was that the Federal Reserve would have to tighten monetary policy over a long period of time to bring inflation down to its target, despite the fact that it has probably peaked.

On Monday morning, after reports that supply disruptions in the Gulf of Mexico are likely to be short-lived, oil prices lost 1%, reversing Friday's decline. Indeed, a damaged component on a pipeline had disrupted the flow of black gold in the region late last week. Also, the September contract on WTI listed in New York declined by 88 cents, or 1%, to $91.20 per barrel, while the October contract on Brent crude gave up 97 cents, also 1%, to $97.18 per barrel.