No recommendation
No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal. Hargreaves Lansdown may not share ShareCast's (powered by Digital Look) views.
(Sharecast News) - Friday will see the release of first-half numbers from Aviva, while in the US, retail sales figures and the latest University of Michigan consumer sentiment index will be out.
As far as Aviva is concerned, AJ Bell analysts Russ Mould and Danni Hewson said the shares are close to 52-week highs as the company prepares to announce its first-half results, with the insurer shaking off a negative reaction to the medium-term targets outlined earlier this year.
"While the initial response to the company's first-quarter update was also lukewarm, investors have come around of late, focusing on the significant growth in the company's wealth management business and strong sales from the freshly integrated Direct Line business acquired in 2025," they said.
"When marking the card for the first-half numbers, the market will want evidence that CEO Amanda Blanc and the rest of the management team are making good progress against the medium-term targets. Any sign the business is not on track could be damaging, particularly given the perception among some observers that the goals weren't sufficiently ambitious in the first place. Aviva is, to an extent, a victim of its own success here having hit previous targets early.
"The integration of Direct Line and delivery of cost savings associated with the deal will also be under the spotlight and some investors may be hoping for further generosity from Aviva in the form of share buybacks."
Investors will also eye second-quarter eurozone GDP figures due on Friday.
Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, said the second reading of GDP is expected to confirm the economy expanded by 0.4% last quarter, with the annual rate hitting 1%.
"This is a significant change from the 0.2% decline in Q1, and the fastest pace of growth for nearly two years," she said. "This would make another rate hike from the ECB extremely likely. There is already an 83% chance of a rate hike priced in for the ECB's September meeting, with two rate hikes expected between September and July 2027.
"A strong reading for European GDP may see a third rate hike get priced in, and it could lend more support to the euro, which was the third best-performing currency in the G10 last week."
The value of investments can go down in value as well as up, so you could get back less than you invest. It is therefore important that you understand the risks and commitments. This website is not personal advice based on your circumstances. So you can make informed decisions for yourself we aim to provide you with the best information, best service and best prices. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment please contact us for advice.