Morrow Brief

The financial stories that actually matter.

A concise roundup explaining what happened, why it matters and what is worth understanding next.

Latest read3 minEdition: 3 September 2026Browse the archive →

Latest edition

3 things worth knowing

Morrow does not try to cover every headline. We focus on the stories most likely to help you understand what is happening in money and markets.

Global markets

Oil, bond yields and AI demand are pulling markets in different directions

Oil eased after recent gains while several Asian share markets rose, helped by continued optimism around demand for artificial-intelligence infrastructure. Government borrowing costs remain an important counterweight for investors.

Why it matters

Markets rarely move for one reason. Energy prices can affect inflation, bond yields change the value placed on future profits, and enthusiasm for AI can lift technology shares at the same time.

Read the source: Associated Press market report →

Currencies

The Japanese yen strengthens as rate expectations change

The yen rose after investors increased their expectations that the Bank of Japan could raise interest rates. Currency markets also remain focused on upcoming United States employment data.

Why it matters

Currencies respond to the expected gap between interest rates in different countries. A change in those expectations can affect import costs, exporters and international investment returns.

Read the source: Reuters currency report →

Rates and assets

Gold rises before a closely watched US jobs report

Gold prices increased as the US dollar and government bond yields eased. Investors are watching employment figures for clues about what the Federal Reserve may do with interest rates next.

Why it matters

Gold does not pay interest, so changing yields and currency values can alter its appeal. The story also shows how one economic report can change expectations across several markets without guaranteeing what happens next.

Read the source: Reuters gold market report →

Previous editions

Keep reading the story behind the day.

View the full archive →

2 September 2026Stock markets

US shares recover while investors keep watching oil and bond yields

Major US indexes finished higher after a difficult start to September. Technology shares helped the recovery, while higher oil prices and borrowing costs remained important risks for investors.

Reuters US market report ↗

2 September 2026Company results

Snowflake raises its outlook as demand for cloud and AI tools grows

Snowflake reported stronger product revenue than analysts expected and raised its annual forecast. Its shares rose sharply after the update, reflecting investor enthusiasm about demand for its data and AI products.

Reuters Snowflake results report ↗

2 September 2026UK markets

EasyJet and Ithaca Energy are set to enter the FTSE 100

FTSE Russell announced that the airline and energy producer would join the index, replacing Entain and Persimmon in its regular reshuffle.

Reuters FTSE reshuffle report ↗

Company to understand

Microsoft

Microsoft sits at the centre of cloud computing and AI infrastructure, which makes it a useful company for understanding where technology spending is going.

Understand Microsoft

SectorTechnology

Key themeAI + Cloud

RiskMedium

One thing to learn

Why do interest rates affect stock prices?

Higher rates can make borrowing more expensive and future company profits less valuable today. That can put pressure on share prices, especially for expensive growth companies.

Learn in 2 minutes

The takeaway

Ignore the noise. Understand the themes.

Markets move every day. What matters more is understanding the bigger forces behind those moves.

Read previous editions