The latest Market Talks covering Energy markets. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.

0741 GMT - Maersk posted much stronger results for the second quarter than expected, J.P. Morgan analysts say in a research note. The Danish shipping company upgraded its full-year guidance after both underlying Ebitda and Ebitda in the oceans unit came in ahead of expectations, the analysts say. The new guidance for underlying Ebitda of $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion compares to a consensus estimate of $8.5 billion, the analysts add. Meanwhile, the new underlying EBIT guidance is from $4.5 billion to $6.5 billion, with consensus penciled in at $2.8 billion, they say. However, the fact that there is no increase to the existing share buyback program might act as a small disappointment, they add. Shares trade 6.8% higher at 18,595 Danish kroner. (nina.kienle@wsj.com)

0734 GMT - The U.K. economy has weathered the recent energy-price shock better than many feared, says Fergus Jimenez-England, economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. Second-quarter GDP growth was 0.4%, after a 0.6% increase in the first three months of the year. Services output jumped 0.4% in June, offsetting declines in construction and industrial production. "That said, the recent pace of growth is unlikely to be sustained," Jimenez-England says. Both inflation and unemployment are expected to rise in the coming months, as business sentiment remains fragile and could weaken further amid continued volatility in energy prices, he says. "The economy has shown welcome resilience so far, but we are not out of the woods yet." (edward.frankl@wsj.com)

0729 GMT - RWE's guidance will be viewed as conservative given there are several factors that could provide upside, J.P. Morgan analysts write. The German energy company's near-term guidance is based on end-of-June commodity prices, which have since moved higher, they say. Looking further ahead, RWE has flagged capacity auctions for more than 10 gigawatts due in Germany and the Netherlands that have not been baked into its 2031 guidance, the analysts say. Finally, the company said it was nearing a deal for two data centers, they say. Shares rise 0.7% to 58 euros. (adam.whittaker@wsj.com)

0727 GMT - Yields on eurozone government bonds edge higher as prospects of a U.S.-Iran peace deal fade, raising concerns about prolonged supply chain disruptions and inflation risk. Bond market investors are cautious as "Iran and the U.S. appear to harden their positions", Deutsche Bank Research strategists say in a note. Rises in yields are limited, however, after data Wednesday showed U.S. inflation fell in line with expectations. This reduced prospects of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates next month. Ten-year Bund yields rise 0.5 basis points to last trade at 3.162%, Tradeweb data show. (miriam.mukuru@wsj.com)

0721 GMT - Bitcoin rises slightly after Wednesday's U.S. inflation data caused markets to trim odds of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates in September. The data showed inflation eased to 3.4% in July from 3.5% in June and core inflation decelerated to 2.5% from 2.6%. The data met forecasts but still marked two consecutive "relatively encouraging" core inflation reports and, combined with last week's weaker employment data, leaves less pressure on the Fed to act immediately in September, Deutsche Bank analysts say in a note. However, markets are still fully pricing a 25 basis-point rate rise by year-end, they say. Ongoing Middle East tensions also argue for continued caution. Bitcoin rises 0.5% to $63,833, LSEG data show. (renae.dyer@wsj.com)

0716 GMT - Korea Electric Power could post weaker 3Q earnings due to higher fuel-purchase costs, says Kiwoom Securities' Cho Jae-won. The South Korean state utility is forecast to spend 6.354 trillion won on oil, coal and gas to fuel its power plants in the July-September period, up 29% on quarter and 16% on year, the analyst writes in a note. The company is also likely to face higher 3Q system margin prices, at which it purchases power from private electricity companies, Cho notes. The SMP rose to 133 won per kilowatt-hour in July and 150 won per KWh in August, from 118 won per KWh in 2Q. (kwanwoo.jun@wsj.com)

0714 GMT - The dollar rises to a two-week high against a basket of currencies as ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz supports safe-haven assets and keeps oil prices elevated. The dollar briefly fell after data Wednesday showed U.S. inflation eased in line with expectations to 3.4% in July from 3.5% in June, prompting markets to trim expectations for a September interest rate rise by the Federal Reserve. This was "merely a continuation of the trend towards lower inflation, partly distorted by one-off effects" and the dollar's falls proved short-lived, Commerzbank's Michael Pfister says in a note. The DXY dollar index rises to as high as 100.083. (renae.dyer@wsj.com)

0653 GMT - Hapag-Lloyd had solid improvements on its freight rates, analysts at J.P. Morgan say in a note. Freight rates were boosted by higher spot rates and volatility in fuel prices, with management expecting higher demand to bring market growth, they add. This is in line with the anticipated global volume growth expected by Maersk for 2026, the analysts add. (aimee.look@wsj.com)

0652 GMT - Sterling falls as concerns about the Middle East conflict overshadow data showing the U.K. economy grew in line with expectations in the second quarter. The economy expanded 0.4% quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter following 0.6% growth in the first quarter. While the data make it harder to argue that the economy is too fragile for tighter monetary policy, this isn't guaranteed as the full impact of higher energy prices is still to come and the Bank of England is waiting for second-round inflation effects, eToro analyst Sam North says in a note. Sterling falls to a one-week low of $1.3471, from $1.3494 before the data, according to LSEG. The euro rises to 0.8544 pounds from 0.8538 pounds. (renae.dyer@wsj.com)

0551 GMT - RWE's second-quarter earnings are in line with July's preliminary figures, Jefferies analysts write. Overall, the German energy company's message to investors is that the long-term growth outlook is strong, they write. Management sees significant opportunities across renewables, flexible generation, storage, and grids, they add. Shares closed Wednesday at 57.62 euros.