Public Markets 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 15, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Commodities & Energy
Iron ore futures in Singapore slipped below $90 a ton for the first time since 2024, extending a two-year low as steel demand concerns mounted. Lithium extended its deep slump as Chinese futures sold off on growing battery demand fears. Oil futures fell in early Asian trade on possible position adjustments, while gold rose on a possible technical correction. Investors predict a new gold record within two years, with central banks making their highest monthly purchases in September, and London's market is seeing a Trump effect boost to its physical trading dominance. Copper miner Antofagasta lifted output 7%, driven by higher production at its Los Pelambres mine in Chile.
Energy Windfall & Fuel Markets
TotalEnergies expects exceptional results from its downstream business as the conflict squeezes energy supplies. Shipowners face a fragmented fuel market as Middle East disruptions hit trade, while Australians are cutting fuel purchases as the Iran war drives pump prices higher. Oil majors face scrutiny over a $32bn windfall from the conflict, with investors keen to see how the largest crude companies plan to deploy the extra cash. Soaring energy prices are set to swamp the EU summit and overshadow budget talks, and Ukraine will resume strikes on Russian refineries, Zelenskyy said.
Asian Markets & Currencies
A global AI sell-off deepened as Asian markets tumbled, triggering a trading halt on South Korea's Kospi and Japan's Nikkei. Asian central banks went on the offensive to prop up currencies after the stock selloff upended markets. India is defending the rupee, and bond yields are paying the price, with the 10-year yield climbing to a three-year high of 7.41% as rate-hike bets build. The Philippine peso breached 63 per dollar for the first time, while the Singapore dollar strengthened as U.S. yields fell. Japan's finance minister warned speculators she was prepared to act on the yen after a hotter U.S. CPI print. India's IDBI Bank stake sale offers a timely buffer against $100 oil, and Reliance's Jio is seeking a $108 billion valuation in India's largest IPO.
U.S. Inflation & Markets
A hot CPI print pushed AI stocks lower even as bond yields dropped, and the emerging-market index is now largely an AI bet. Australia's higher unemployment and unexpected job cuts in September led traders to pare rate bets, while the UK economy unexpectedly grew 0.1% in August. French debt worries spilled into equities, driving the biggest underperformance since 2010 as investors demanded steep discounts against regional peers.
Technology & AI Deals
TSMC's profit jumped 69% as AI demand extended the chipmaker's record earnings streak. Anthropic told investors quarterly revenue rose nearly 50% to $16.8bn ahead of its IPO, though growth was slower than some anticipated, and third-quarter results may aid the IPO without lifting the broader AI trade. Ericsson will streamline its structure as component costs pressure profitability. The FCA plans to embrace AI to automate financial regulation, and the UK's nuclear fusion authority warns the West is in a race with China on commercialisation.
Private Markets & IPOs
General Atlantic is advancing toward a spring 2027 listing, while investor appetite for data centre IPOs appears to be reaching its limit. Fewer, bigger AI mega-rounds are making life harder for VC firms, and private credit funds are targeting English football clubs with player-backed loans. Marsh will shoulder the largest share of the $800m Greensill settlement with Credit Suisse, a rare case of a broker bearing the biggest portion. A Swiss bank is weighing a move out of Switzerland after receiving approaches from U.S. deal partners.
Banking & Regulation
Bank of America was fined $1.2 billion after federal regulators said it waved through suspicious transactions. South Africa's Eskom is revamping its strategy as its monopoly fades, and Indonesia replaced its electricity chief after a huge Batam blackout. Concerns over inheritance tax are mounting on UK family companies, with the 2024 changes risking expansion and employment plans.
Corporate & Consumer
Pernod Ricard's sales decline softened on strength in India. Salmon producers have switched to chicken feed for cost and sustainability reasons, and European carmakers are reviving retro EVs to fight Chinese rivals. McKinsey's Eric Kutcher is the frontrunner to lead the consultancy globally. Popeyes is showing fried chicken growth in a fast-food sector facing decline, and neobanks are profiting from an SME lending gap left by traditional lenders.
UK Growth Companies
The FT's inaugural ranking of the UK's fastest-growing companies shows the diversity of growth, led by wellbeing start-up Healf, which posted a 670% CAGR. UK start-ups are riding the wellness boom, and growth companies are chasing the grey pound as the population ages. Despite gloom, resilient entrepreneurs have proven growth is possible, though they face Budget uncertainty. Leaders matter more than pitches, as people drive growth at growth companies.