Markets 24 Hours

Public Markets

Last updated: July 14, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Middle East Tensions Escalate, Impacting Global Markets

Oil futures after President Trump withdrew a proposed 20% fee on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, though prices. Brent crude amid renewed U.S. strikes on Iran following attacks on tankers, fueling volatility and contributing to BP cutting its net debt. The conflict in the Persian Gulf beyond oil and gas, with Iran reverting to tactics like "going dark" to move tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. Fuel markets in the U.S. and Europe are experiencing record tightness as tensions flare, risking further consumer pain at the pump. U.S. Treasury yields and the dollar as U.S. inflation cooled, but the war in Iran.

Economic Indicators and Federal Reserve Watch

U.S. Treasury yields following mild U.S. CPI data, with traders pulling back from bets on Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes. U.S. consumer prices declined in June for the first time since 2020, and a key gauge of underlying inflation was little changed. Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh reiterated the central bank's pledge to get inflation down but did not specify how, stating policymakers have "no tolerance" for elevated inflation reiterating a vow to tame price growth. Despite the cooling inflation, traders see a nearly 50% chance of a July rate hike following a spike in oil prices and hawkish commentary from Fed officials. U.S. stocks advanced as traders parsed the latest CPI data and Warsh's remarks.

Corporate Earnings and Sector Performance

Wall Street banks, with earnings at JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Bank of America benefiting from an AI frenzy and the SpaceX IPO, though "tectonic" risks loom. Lenders are riding the tech wave, and big banks and Big Tech are, with Wall Street no longer the only industry reaching into every corner of the economy. IBM shares plunged 25% as customers shifted spending to AI, with the chief executive stating the company "faltered" as clients raced to buy servers and storage, delivering a "devastating blow" to software stocks. EV maker Lucid has hired a firm to advise on its turnaround struggling with sales and quality issues. U.S. electric vehicle sales are down, but EV chargers are booming.

Global Trade and Investment Trends

China's monthly car exports for the first time, with overall trade soaring as Beijing also becomes the world's second-largest importer. China will allow its private oilseed crushers to buy Australian canola, as the two countries move to normalize trade. European defense groups are planning an interceptor system to destroy missiles in space drawing on lessons from the war in Ukraine. Buyout firm Francisco Partners is in advanced talks to acquire a controlling stake in construction software maker Command Alkon Inc. for as much as $1.3 billion a sign of investor value. Indonesia's PT Barito Renewables Energy has made an offer to buy geothermal company Energy Development Corp. for more than $5 billion to expand in the Philippines.

Artificial Intelligence and Technological Advancements

Spending on new factories, warehouses, and other industrial sites has been damped by rising costs, but AI data-center construction is booming. Deep Mind chief Demis Hassabis called for a U.S.-led body to test "frontier" AI models, warning society has a "precious window" to prepare for technology advancing at historic speed as warned by a Nobel laureate. Chai Discovery, an AI drug start-up, raised $400 million, valuing the company at $3.8 billion and underscoring investor interest in using artificial intelligence to tackle problems like drug discovery. The commercial fusion race is shifting from laboratories to supply chains, with investment rising in the sector in the hope it can provide abundant carbon-free electricity.

Political and Geopolitical Developments

Senate Democrats blocked a defense bill over the war in Iran, reflecting how the political debate over the conflict in the Middle East has sapped bipartisan support for a normally popular measure highlighting divisions. Senator Lindsey Graham's death leaves the fate of a Russia sanctions bill uncertain, with supporters hoping the measure will gain momentum in his honor. The U.S. military launched its seventh wave of strikes after President Trump said he would "replace" proposed Strait of Hormuz cargo fees with Gulf investment signaling a shift. China urged normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible after President Trump reinstated the U.S. blockade of Iranian ships transiting the vital waterway calling for restoration.

Other Notable Market Movements and Business News

Comex gold, and silver rose nearly 2%, snapping a two-session losing streak. U.S. natural gas futures but struggled to make headway due to adequate domestic supply. The New York City Council speaker backed a ban on horse-drawn carriages in Central Park. Ford Executive Chairman, as China's automakers have rapidly displaced competitors globally. Uber and Delivery Hero are in advanced talks over a potential takeover at an advanced stage. Lead prices, marking the biggest delivery into London Metal Exchange warehouses in records going back to 1970.

Private Equity

Last updated: July 14, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Deal Activity and Sector Focus

Private equity firms were active across a range of sectors with multiple add-on acquisitions and strategic investments. Capital-backed GreenArrow, expanding its infrastructure and electrical services footprint. Innovatus-backed Meet, including its digital marketing arm. invests school, supporting its growth initiatives. Gryphon-backed SMG, incorporating its US and Mexico operations. Point-backed VetnCare, bolstering its network of veterinary hospitals in Northern California. backs tax, with Unity Partners retaining a minority stake. Partners invests, which is crucial for electric grid expansion. ACP-backed Marco, a provider of specialty components. signs deal, marking its sixth DACH investment and third healthcare deal in the region. Primed Group further details this move. Capital-backed Whitevision, enhancing its document automation technology. Ventures-backed ORTEC, expanding its healthcare client base and service offerings.

Consolidation and Major Transactions

Industry consolidation remains a key theme, with several large-scale transactions announced. takes majority highlights this trend, with KKR agreeing to acquire a 51 percent stake in Thomson Reuters’ global print business. Reuters sell specifies the deal value, with Thomson Reuters retaining a 49 percent equity stake. ArchiMed takes, focusing on bringing cardiometabolic and rare disease therapies to market. Pincus-led investor involves sellers Nautic Partners, General Atlantic, and The Vistria Group. Private markets reiterates the ongoing consolidation, with Apollo, Clearlake, and KKR acquiring other private markets firms.

Fundraising and Investment Strategies

New capital formation and evolving investment strategies are also evident. CalPERS posts a 17 percent PE return; Ardian closes a CV on a 2.5-year-old asset; Asante taps Evercore for its secondaries build-out indicates strong returns, with CalPERS achieving a 17% PE return. General Catalyst’s Customer Value Fund doesn't make equity investments. It's providing $1 billion for IM8 details an unusual $1 billion capital infusion for David Beckham’s health drink startup IM8. Secondaries now underscores the growing importance of secondaries for liquidity and asset repositioning. builds APAC shows the expansion of secondaries operations in the Asia-Pacific region. Temasek-linked Vertex suggests a more focused approach, with Vertex Growth III seeking $250 million, making it smaller than its predecessor. issues RFP reveals a public pension fund seeking investment management advice for its $1.66 billion AUM.

Personnel and Emerging Opportunities

Key personnel moves and emerging investment areas are also noteworthy. promotes Simon signifies leadership changes within investment firms. appoints Jason highlights a new appointment focused on business development. taps Adam brings in operational expertise from a previous role at One Rock Capital Partners. invests packaging shows continued investment in logistics and packaging. Cybersecurity startups are seeing robust funding, with the first quarter of 2026 was a more robust period for funding than the second, with privacy and cybersecurity startups pulling in $4.4 billion in seed- through growth-stage financing in Q2. Defence technology is also attracting capital, with and Sarlin’s NestAI indicating growing interest in sovereign defence capabilities. Hermes agent maker is reportedly raising at least $75 million.

Exits and Strategic Departures

exits HVAC marks an exit where CAI Capital had previously grown Custom Air through five add-on deals. offerings transforming points to evolving exit and liquidity strategies.

Sector Investment

Last updated: July 14, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Real Estate Sees Shifting Strategies Amidst Return Pursuits

La Caisse is demonstrating a strong commitment to US real estate, having allocated $3.3bn to the sector since the start of 2025 as it seeks to optimize portfolio returns. This strategic pivot comes as continue to struggle with capital distributions, with 2019-23 vintage funds having returned 50% or less of invested capital. In contrast were the last to fully return capital, achieving an average DPI of 1.05x a decade after launch. Amidst these shifts, PIMCO highlights real estate's evolving role in the age of AI, emphasizing the importance of an asset's capacity to accommodate future tenants.

Infrastructure Fundraising Faces Headwinds Despite Strategic Alliances

CalSTRS and Nuveen have forged a $2bn strategic partnership aimed at capitalizing on sustainable infrastructure opportunities, particularly within Nuveen's energy platform and its Energy & Power Infrastructure Credit Fund II. However, the broader infrastructure fundraising landscape appears to be sputtering. The $40.8bn raised in the first half of 2026 marks a new record low, significantly trailing the $71.6bn secured in the first half of 2024, which was itself the weakest fundraising year on record. In related news has appointed new global co-heads for its infrastructure division, a move occurring as the firm prepares for its $575m merger with Lazard.