Stock markets mostly higher before key earnings, rate calls

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Leading stock markets mostly rose Tuesday ahead of a slew of interest-rate decisions and earnings from big companies.

The main New York indexes were all higher at the open. In Europe, London was slightly lower while continental exchanges were mostly up in afternoon deals.

The Federal Reserve is expected to leave US interest rates unchanged Wednesday, and its post-meeting statement will be pored over for confirmation that it will lower borrowing costs in September as inflation falls, with the extent of that cut open to debate.

"The market doesn't expect any change in rates, as the September meet remains favourite for the first cut in over four years," said David Morrison, analyst at Trade Nation.

"But investors will pay close attention to any shift in emphasis from the last FOMC statement, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's subsequent press conference will be key," he said, referring to the central bank's policy-making Federal Open Market Committee.

Wednesday also sees the Bank of Japan make its own much-anticipated decision over interest rates.

The Tokyo stock market closed slightly up Tuesday, while the yen dropped versus the dollar.

London's FTSE 100 index was down in mid-afternoon amid some mixed British earnings and as traders gear up for the Bank of England's policy announcement Thursday, with analysts split on whether it will cut rates.

Shares in alcoholic drinks maker Diageo, owner of Guinness stout and Johnnie Walker whisky, dropped six percent after it reported slowing sales in some regions.

Standard Chartered shares rose six percent after the bank announced a share buyback along with strong half-year results.

Paris advanced following data showing the French economy expanded more than expected in the second quarter.

Frankfurt also rose despite data showing Germany's economy contracted in April-June.

In New York, focus ahead of the Fed's meeting will be on Microsoft as the world's second-largest listed company publishes its latest earnings, noted Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at traders Scope Markets.

"The story appears to be similar for many of these big tech names, with traders on the lookout for signs that the vast sums of money being invested in AI has started to pay dividends," Mahony said.

Markets had a rough ride last week after disappointing earnings from heavyweights Tesla and Google-parent Alphabet, which raised questions about the surge in tech giants that has helped power some indices to record highs this year.

And investors are steeling themselves for more reports this week from other titans, including Facebook-parent Meta, Apple and Amazon.

Starbucks earnings after the market closes in New York will be closely watched to judge consumer sentiment in the United States.

McDonald's on Monday posted a rare sales decline that the chain attributed to low-income consumers eating elsewhere as they look to save money.

Oil prices extended Monday's retreat on continued worries about demand owing to weakness in the Chinese economy.

"For now, concerns over the pace of economic growth, particularly in China and the US, have dampened prices," said Morrison. "It's just a question of where the sellers run out of puff."

- Key figures around 1340 GMT -