Markets 24 Hours

Public Markets

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 8:36 PM ET

Equities & Corporate Finance

Greg Abel finally put Berkshire Hathaway’s cash pile to work, ploughing a net $20bn into stocks and ending a more than three-year selling streak. London’s dejected housebuilders finally caught a break as construction activity picked up, though merely returning to normal may not satisfy the government’s ambitious targets. Canada’s PSP is said to mull a $1.5 billion sale of roads in India. America’s electric vehicle honeymoon is over, with drivers hooked on great lease deals now looking at hybrids and gas cars or paying higher prices. A virtually unknown fintech that soared on a Trump crypto deal has sold its core business for $12 million. WuXi AppTec got a temporary reprieve as a US judge blocked the Defense Department from enforcing its Chinese military company designation. Sainsbury’s needs a dose of Big Tech’s boldness, argues a columnist, as the UK’s second-largest supermarket has delivered terrestrial returns. Can British bike makers get back on track, as beloved brands have endured a difficult post-Covid period? Trip.com was fined RMB 5.18bn after a probe concluded it abused its power as a platform handling more than half of China’s hotel bookings.

Fixed Income & Credit

Private credit is being squeezed by bank refinancings as highly-indebted companies ditch private loans for cheaper capital in the bank loan market, a shift underscoring higher-for-longer rates. Allianz Trade is set to cut credit insurance cover for UK housebuilder Vistry’s suppliers, potentially exacerbating a cash flow squeeze. Burnham has been urged to rule out changes to pension lump sums in the next Budget, as City bosses warn against pre-Budget speculation.

Commodities & Energy

A solar eclipse threatens to tighten Europe’s electricity squeeze as the continent’s power system is already under stress from heatwaves. War brings a winter of discontent for diesel, the world’s workhorse fuel, as a squeeze from Middle East and Ukraine wars sets the stage for an even worse crunch. Union workers at BHP’s Port Hedland iron ore export hub started rolling 24-hour strikes, escalating a pay dispute.

Currencies

Currency interventions have a mixed record, as you can’t fight macro with FX interventions. The US bares its financial weak spot through yen intervention, pointing to the squishy underbelly of American weakness.

Crypto

A tough week for crypto had fans downing drinks at a Bitcoin bar. A landmark crypto bill stalled in the US Senate despite a $225mn spending push, as lobbyists struggle to pass top priority.

Geopolitical Tensions & Trade

Iran demanded US withdrawal to open the Strait of Hormuz, while the UAE said Iran launched a missile attack on one of its ships. Tehran said the US must “rectify its behaviour” before Iran reopens the strait, demanding compensation for war damage. The US is burning through weapons in Iran, and Russia and China are taking note as stockpiles deplete. Yemen teeters on civil war as the conflict with Houthis escalates while the Middle East waits on Hormuz. Canada offered US concessions in trade talks but demands a comprehensive deal, as PM Carney attempts to prevent 50% tariffs. Zelenskyy won Serbian pledges during a landmark visit as Russian influence wanes. Kyiv struck as Ukraine targeted two Russian oil refineries, sparking a fire at the Ilsky refinery that injured five. Wildberries co-founder Tatyana Kim faces her biggest test as Ukraine repeatedly strikes warehouses of the e-commerce site. What to know about Wildberries: many Russians rely on it as the country’s largest e-commerce business. Their African islands were set to be decolonized, but the US bombing of Iran blocked the Chagos Islanders’ return. Venezuelans took to the streets as the country experienced daily blackouts for the first time in seven years.

Policy & Regulation

The Senate bowed to reality, leaving Trump’s voting bill undone as Republicans lacked votes. Blanche was confirmed as Attorney General after overcoming GOP concerns, despite unease about his willingness to rein in President Trump. Trump officials are under pressure to deport Haitians after a Supreme Court win on TPS, with lack of aggressive raids frustrating supporters. New York City Hall dismissed Haitian workers after loss of protected status, with officials warning numbers could reach the hundreds. Medicare Advantage’s perks are getting scrutiny, as officials said no to plans covering medical marijuana, streaming and shopping clubs, with changes coming in 2027. The Senate passed a stopgap bill to avert a shutdown, avoiding a skirmish before midterms. Burnham’s fiscal flexibility could backfire, as Treasury officials fear talk of using flexibility could destabilize markets.

Corporate Strategy & Consumer Trends

Think it’s cool to wear fancy sneakers to work? You might be old – young professionals are embracing loafers, derbies and oxfords. MacKenzie Scott stepped back into the spotlight with a new book, posting four pages on Substack. How an N.F.L.-backed plan to revitalize Canton, Ohio, faltered as the “Hall of Fame Village” remains unfinished after hundreds of millions spent. Reservation apps have made getting into a restaurant a nightmare, as middlemen fight over access to high-spending customers. First Brands urges court to approve bankruptcy settlement that would fund lawsuits to pursue billions in claims from alleged fraud at the collapsed car-parts maker. Pfizer grapples with “a world of hurt” after Covid triumph, with sliding vaccine revenues and fears of overpaying for new drugs. This summer’s hottest arm candy is a private equity boyfriend, with Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Olivia Rodrigo hanging out with finance guys. Kids, flats and student loans: Why UK first-time buyers are getting older, with one in three starting a family before owning a home. The joy of cooking imaginary food in video games reveals satisfaction of making something you cannot eat. How to fix Britain’s housing crisis – we need to find ways to lift financial and resource constraints on new homebuilding. A short history of valuing stocks – a career spent finding what shares are really worth.

Tech, Media & AI

Meet the media industry’s nerd-in-chief – People Inc. innovation chief Jonathan Roberts has bold thoughts on the future of publishers. Can Netflix save a summer slump with a stunt on Sunset Boulevard, where the streaming giant paid an actor to spend three days inside a billboard? Move 37 is the moment AI changes everything – a decade ago a computer did something no human would have done; now the world is full of such breakthroughs.

Political Landscape & Society

Max Miller, Republican accused of abuse, won’t drop out, his spokeswoman said. Hunter Biden says his father’s cancer is worsening, with the former president’s prostate cancer spreading into his bones. A top scholar’s fall shows that universities don’t get it, as protecting a star from plagiarism charges undermined values. In confirming Blanche, senators endorsed a Justice Dept. under Trump’s sway, as Blanche made clear he believes Trump possesses a nearly limitless right to control DOJ. Socialists are winning because they listen to people, argues a columnist. Who is my enemy? I’m no longer sure. Hello, Democrats? Are you listening? – Michigan presents a warning and opportunity. Edge of your seat – a superfan recommends thriller books. News quiz for August 8, 2026. Billy Strings escaped the darkness and is playing to not go back. Fact-checking 3 competitive Senate races in Maine, Michigan and Ohio. Italy’s heat will spread to Western Europe ahead of the solar eclipse, with red warnings remaining. Lindsey Graham loved to gab with reporters, but his sister won’t – Senator Darline Graham has declined to answer questions. Amid abuse claims against Max Miller, this Democrat thinks he can win his seat – ironworker Brian Poindexter. After a poisonous primary, Michigan Democrats promise to get along, racing behind Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. Reading scores drop for NYC students amid revamp of literacy program, nearly wiping out gains. Pellet guns, sticks and tear gas: how India’s police halted a youth march, with a NYT analysis detailing the crackdown.

Private Equity

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 2:41 PM ET

Buyout Activity

Wise Equity inked an agreement to acquire E-Pharma Trento, eyeing bolt-on acquisitions to add new technologies. Separately, Eir Partners invested in ClaimsBridge and supported its add-on of Dialysis PPO, aiming to scale the platform organically and through M&A.

Venture Funding

A strong week for large checks saw three companies raise $1 billion or more, with a robust lineup across sectors among the ten biggest rounds.

Sector Investment

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 8:38 AM ET

Sector Investment

Regal Healthcare closed its fourth private equity fund at $610 million.