Markets 8 Hours

Public Markets

Last updated: July 17, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Markets Navigate Tech Selloff and Geopolitical Tensions

Emerging-market equities fell for a second day, heading for a weekly decline as concerns over stretched artificial intelligence valuations dragged technology shares lower and triggered a selloff across Asia. Taiwan stocks, amid broad losses in Asia’s chip sector, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s results stoked worries over heavy spending and a weaker outlook. China chip stocks’, as elevated expectations after a months-long rally are raising the bar for tech stocks to climb further. Investor sentiment on China technology hardware is flashing its most bearish reading in over four years as the red-hot rally in chip stocks rapidly cools.

The dollar-yen pair by year-end, according to Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management, from around 162.40. One top currency forecaster, however, sees the yen sliding as far as 170 against the dollar next year. Gold rose early but remained below the psychologically important $4,000 mark, with central bank buying likely to remain a structural driver. However, gold was on track for its biggest weekly loss since early June as renewed hostilities in the Middle East raised the odds that the US Federal Reserve may need to raise interest rates. Industrial metals declined on Friday as traders weighed the likelihood of higher interest rates and their negative impact on demand. Wheat eased as traders locked in gains, against a backdrop of Black Sea supply risks and weak U.S. export demand.

Corporate Dealmaking and Industry Shifts

Volvo Car in the second half of the year, driven by growth in Europe and a recovery in the U.S., despite continued challenges in China. Sweden’s EQT as it posted higher net profit and revenue for the first half, aided by higher fee-generating assets. Howden Group, the insurance broker on its path to a blockbuster IPO, and is in talks to raise several billion pounds in new private capital. Eoptolink Technology Inc., a Chinese maker of optical transceivers. Separately, celebrity-backed Indonesian coffee chain Kopi Kenangan, which counts Serena Williams and Jay-Z among its investors, has held talks with banks for a potential listing that could value it at up to $1 billion. The National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. has received a ‘sell’ recommendation ahead of its long-awaited IPO debut.

AI and European Tech Landscape

China’s Xi and took a swipe at U.S. dominance, wooing developing countries as superpowers jockey for technology leadership. Chinese AI startup Moonshot has launched a model challenging Anthropic’s lead, showing a narrowing gap between the U.S. and China on frontier AI. Separately, a new body is set to strengthen Beijing’s influence over international standard-setting in AI. Meanwhile, a Revolut and Spotify investor, having raised a $300 million ‘resilience’ fund to back European dual-use and defense tech start-ups. Europe, despite losing at tech, with the UK and EU committing twice as much money as the U.S. to investments in the computing sector.

UK Economy and Regulatory Focus

The UK’s economic outlook remains a key concern, with discussions on how to make Britain’s economy grow. Anglian Water despite bonus curbs, with nearly two-thirds of the £1.9 million pay package paid by the parent company. UK mortgage rates rose again after the resumption of Middle East hostilities, with several big lenders raising their fixed rates. Investors are advising the Bank of England to, as its ‘quantitative tightening’ program has been criticized for driving up government borrowing costs. In a rare move, the Japanese ruling party panel, arguing that existing regulations encourage such actions and the pursuit of short-term gains.

Private Equity

Last updated: July 17, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

European Expansion and Sector Momentum

Payment processor on its European presence, announcing a €350 million expansion plan. Meanwhile, momentum is building in several sectors as the second half of the year approaches, suggesting potential investment opportunities.

Sector Investment

Last updated: July 17, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

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