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Stock Futures Modestly Higher, Nasdaq Futures Up 0.77%

Stock futures are pointing modestly higher ahead of Friday's opening bell as investors look to build on the technology-driven rally following earnings from several mega-cap companies. Sentiment has improved after June's inflation data came in slightly softer than expected, reinforcing the view that price pressures are continuing to ease even as the Federal Reserve remains cautious. The combination of a patient Fed and softer inflation has helped support risk assets, although expectations for future rate moves remain highly sensitive to incoming economic data.Strong results and upbeat guidance from large-cap technology companies have reinforced optimism surrounding artificial intelligence spending and cloud infrastructure demand, helping lift Nasdaq futures and improve broader market sentiment despite ongoing concerns about economic growth.In pre-market trading, S&P 500 futures rose 0.14%, Nasdaq futures rose 0.77% and Dow futures rose 0.33%.Check out this morning's top movers from around Wall Street, compiled by The Fly.HIGHER -Replimuneup 125% after a FDA Committee committee voted 10 to 3 supporting RP1 approval for advanced melanomaUP AFTER EARNINGS -Amazonup 10%Cohuup 24%Eatonup 7%Natwestup 4%Sonyup 3%Chevronup 1%DOWN AFTER EARNINGS -Robloxdown 22%Appledown 8%Coinbasedown 6%Pearsondown 1%Exxon Mobildown 1%Modernadown 1%

Company Maintains Stable Risk Cost at 19 Basis Points in H1 2026

The company said, "We continued to actively manage risk through dynamic capital allocation and agile pricing, which is demonstrated in our low and stable cost of risk at 19 basis points in H1 2026. We continue to manage lower returning capital to create capacity for redeployment, delivering GBP 3.9B of benefits from RWA management actions. Increased capital velocity supports capital generation pre-distributions of 137 basis points, before the impact of the acquisition of Evelyn Partners. Our Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 13.2% was c.80 basis points lower than Q4 2025, c.140 basis points of which related to the acquisition of Evelyn Partners. We continue to maintain stable and diversified sources of funding with a strong loan:deposit ratio, up one percentage point in the quarter to 90%, and liquidity position, with an average Liquidity Coverage Ratio of 140%."

Company Expects 2026 Income Around GBP 17.9B

The company said, "In 2026 we expect: Total income excluding notable items to be around GBP 17.9B, including around GBP 275M relating to Evelyn Partners. Operating expenses, excluding litigation and conduct costs, of around GBP 8.5 billion, including around GBP 300M relating to Evelyn Partners. Loan impairment rate below 25 basis points. Return on Tangible Equity greater than 19%. Capital generation pre-distributions of greater than 240 basis points, excluding the impact of the Evelyn Partners acquisition on 30 June 2026, equivalent to greater than 100 basis points on a reported basis."