Business Lookahead: Global rate cuts? We're halfway there

STORY: From a fresh test for U.S. corporate earnings, to a slew of economic releases in China, these are the stories to watch in business and finance in the coming week.

:: Look Ahead

:: Tipping point

Around half of the world's developed-market central banks have started cutting rates, including the Bank of England...

And the Fed looks to be teeing up its own cut for September.

Global stocks, crypto and bonds have been rallying this year in anticipation of lower rates, while inflation and economic growth gently tail off.

Earnings have been decent but the problem is when assets are "priced to perfection"... it does not take much for disappointment to set in.

:: More earnings to mull

U.S. corporate earnings get a fresh test this week.

So far almost 80% of companies have topped analyst estimates for earnings.

Important results in the days ahead include Caterpillar, Walt Disney and Super Micro Computer.

:: Rocky path

A slew of economic releases from China will reveal how its shaky recovery is taking shape.

The week begins with a private-sector survey on services activity, followed by trade data on Wednesday and a reading on consumer prices at the end of the week.

Recent Chinese data continues to point to a gloomy outlook.

:: Weighty results

Europe's most valuable company, Novo Nordisk, releases its second-quarter results on Wednesday.

The company's fortunes - and shareholder returns - have soared with the blazing success of its weight-loss drug Wegovy.

Eli Lilly, the only company at present with a rival obesity drug, reports on Thursday.