+++ Geschäftszahlen +++: BHP profitiert von steigenden Kupferpreisen

BHP reported higher profits driven by rising copper prices despite its stocks falling five percent in after-hours trading. Analyst Brian Chin from Stifel Finance cited high investor expectations before the numbers were released. Competitors such as Lam Research and KLA presented strong quarterly results and growth forecasts. Applied Materials shares have already more than doubled this year.

ABN Amro exceeded analyst expectations significantly in the second quarter. Between April and June, the Dutch major bank recorded a net profit of 780 million euros (900 million US dollars). Net interest income rose by 11 percent, fee income by 25 percent. The CET1 ratio improved to 15.9 percent. The return on equity (RoTE), a key profitability indicator, increased to 12.1 percent.

ABN Amro also benefited from the European Central Bank raising interest rates in the euro area, with possible further steps. Norway's sovereign wealth fund invests in the country's oil and gas revenues. Nvidia remained the largest position in the fund, followed by Microsoft and Apple. Overall, stocks generated a return of 13 percent, while fixed-income securities yielded 0.9 percent.