The Day’s Ledger
- AEX: 895.11 (+0.11% vs prior close), a slight lift, showing steady investor confidence.
- Euronext 100: 1,587.17 (+0.57%), stronger gains thanks to sector diversity and broad optimism.
Why the market chose this tempo
European shares rose after the U.S. and China agreed to extend their tariff truce for another 90 days. This move eased fears of sudden tariff hikes and kept trade channels open, lifting sentiment across Europe. Industrial and renewable energy stocks led the way, while technology shares underperformed after Beijing issued fresh advisories targeting Nvidia AI chips. The Euronext 100 benefited more than the AEX thanks to its broader sector mix.
The geopolitical or economic thread that touched today’s prices
A tariff truce works like a “time-out” in a sports match, the action doesn’t stop entirely, but the escalation pauses, giving all sides breathing room. For businesses, that pause means more stable import costs and less uncertainty when quoting prices to clients.
Another tailwind came from political optimism, as signals emerged that the Trump–Putin and Trump–Xi meetings could produce breakthroughs potentially lowering geopolitical risk premiums.
The domestic pulse you act on tomorrow
CBS confirmed that Dutch inflation in July was 2.9%, down from 3.1% in June. This means price growth is still present but slowing. For small businesses, that gives a little relief in terms of cost pressures, but also means customers may still feel cautious with discretionary spending.
The bankruptcy figures for July have not yet been released. The latest data, for June, showed 313 bankruptcies, down 18% year-on-year. If July follows the same pattern, it may indicate that financial stress in the small business sector is easing slightly.
What small entrepreneurs can do tomorrow
- Lock in supplier contracts now. The tariff pause and easing inflation create a short-term window to secure better prices.
- Check your product pricing. With inflation softening, there’s less room to pass on cost increases without risking sales.
- Watch for bankruptcy trends. If July’s numbers stay low, it could signal more stability in B2B payments and customer reliability.
- Diversify away from trade-sensitive goods. If your supply chain depends heavily on imports from tariff-affected countries, consider alternatives.
The AIDUMI lesson of the day
- AEX: Slight gain, signalling confidence but not exuberance.
- Euronext 100: Broader rally driven by industrial and green energy strength.
- Geopolitical/economic driver: U.S.–China tariff truce and high-level diplomacy.
- Domestic pulse: Inflation down to 2.9% in July; bankruptcies for July still pending.
Tomorrow’s 09:00 plan
- Review U.S. CPI data: it could shape expectations for interest rate cuts.
- Negotiate contracts with suppliers during this calmer cost environment.
- Reassess your pricing strategy to match softer inflation trends.
- Prepare for potential B2B opportunities if bankruptcy figures confirm a more stable market.
Co-Creator of Xtroverso | Head of Global GRC @ ZENTRIQ™
Paolo Maria Pavan builds systems that balance rules with freedom, clarity with transformation. In his third life, he writes and speaks openly about markets, governance, and risk, not as a trader chasing price, but as a reader of patterns, behaviors, and distortions. A serial entrepreneur shaped by failure and reinvention, he sees governance as a living force for trust and progress, and refuses to avoid the hard conversations that make it real.
