Global Markets Overview: Gains in the U.S., Mixed Sentiment in Europe and Asia, Declines in Tel Aviv

The week ending July 24, 2025, closed with cautious optimism in U.S. markets, while global indices reflected investor hesitation amid continued concerns about inflation, monetary policy shifts, and corporate earnings. Here’s a detailed breakdown of global market performance, including notable moves in Tel Aviv.

U.S. Markets Lead Global Gains

American indices maintained a steady upward trajectory:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed +0.47% to 44,901.92, driven by investor confidence in blue-chip earnings.

• S&P 500 advanced +0.40% to 6,388.64, supported by gains in tech and healthcare.

• Nasdaq inched up +0.24% to 21,108.32, reflecting modest tech enthusiasm.

• Russell 2000, representing small-cap stocks, matched the S&P’s pace at +0.40%.

• US Dollar Index remained steady at 97.67 (+0.03%), signaling minimal change in currency markets.

• Notably, the VIX (volatility index) fell -2.99%, suggesting decreased market fear.

Despite mixed economic data, U.S. equities appear buoyed by Q2 earnings season optimism and expectations that the Federal Reserve may hold rates steady in the near term.

Europe: Stability Meets Softness

European markets presented a patchy picture:

• CAC 40 in France posted a mild gain of +0.21%, while FTSE 100 in the UK slipped -0.20%.

• Broader European indices such as EURO STOXX 50 and DAX fell -0.06% and -0.32% respectively.

• The MSCI Europe Index experienced the sharpest drop among regional indices, sliding -0.57%.

Currency indices also retreated slightly: the British Pound Index dropped -0.56%, and the Euro Index stayed flat at +0.03%.

Investor sentiment in Europe continues to waver due to ongoing inflation concerns, geopolitical uncertainty, and mixed corporate guidance from major EU firms.

Asia: Red Across the Board

Asian markets mostly declined, weighed down by global uncertainty and internal economic pressures:

• Hang Seng tumbled -1.09% to 25,388.35, reflecting weak tech and property sectors.

• Nikkei 225 and S&P BSE SENSEX both declined -0.88%, indicating a regional pullback.

• Shanghai Composite edged down -0.33%, while KOSPI in South Korea stood out with a modest gain of +0.18%.

• Commodity-linked currencies were also under pressure, with the Australian Dollar Index down -0.42%, and the Japanese Yen Index slipping -0.45%.

A combination of weak manufacturing data and fears of slowing growth in China likely contributed to the broader regional losses.

Tel Aviv Stock Market: Broad-Based Losses Across Indices

Israeli equity markets underperformed sharply, with all major indices closing in the red on July 24, 2025:

• TA-35: Fell -1.16% to 3,035.93

  • Top gainer: Elbit Systems (+1.99%)

  • Top decliner: Enlight Energy (-4.2%)

• TA-125: Dropped -1.19% to 3,115.02

  • Top gainer: Summit surged +8.09%

  • Top decliner: Paz Energy plunged -6.89%

• TA-90 and Banks: Declined -1.05% to 3,511.44

  • Leumi remained the most traded stock across all indices with a turnover of 421,124K ILS.

The declines in Tel Aviv suggest localized investor concerns, possibly driven by energy market fluctuations and uncertainty in domestic fiscal policy.

Conclusion: A Market Searching for Direction

Global equity markets showed a cautious mix of gains and losses, with U.S. indices displaying resilience amid earnings season. Meanwhile, Europe and Asia struggled to find footing, and Tel Aviv suffered notable losses. Investors continue to monitor macroeconomic signals, currency fluctuations, and corporate earnings for guidance in a volatile environment.

As we head into August, market participants are watching for central bank comments, inflation data, and geopolitical developments that could sway sentiment and drive the next move in global indices.