European shares declined, hitting a two-week low, pressured by British banks amid proposed tax changes. Natwest, Barclays, and Lloyds experienced significant drops. The STOXX 600 fell, marking its first weekly loss in four, influenced by U.S. Federal Reserve concerns and French political uncertainty. U.S. inflation data and Trump’s attempts to influence the Fed also weighed on market sentiment.
Credit card issuance hits strongest pace in more than two years
The additions were led, once again, by the country’s largest issuers. HDFC Bank topped the list, adding 163,000 net new credit cards and edging past
July 27, 2026