Public Markets 3h Briefing
×Market Moves
Berkshire Hathaway wsj.com resumed share buybacks after avoiding repurchases in recent quarters. Broadcom investing.com and Okta rose in premarket trading while Stub Hub fell. The S&P 500 bloomberg.com futures were little changed as Middle East conflict pushed oil higher.
Fed & Policy
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Tom Barkin bloomberg.com said the central bank's response to the US-Israel war with Iran will depend on how long the economic impact lasts. The ECB investing.com will likely delay rate cuts into 2026 according to Morgan Stanley. Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel bloomberg.com said the duration of the Iran war will be the main driver of inflation outcomes.
Energy & Commodities
Oil bloomberg.com extended gains as the war in Iran entered its fifth day, with President Trump expressing confidence in US military operations. Aluminium ft.com supply faced disruption as Middle East production outages threatened to trigger repricing across base metals. Adani Total Gas bloomberg.com tripled gas prices for large industrial users as war disrupted fuel availability.
Corporate News
Victoria's Secret wsj.com logged higher Q4 sales with CEO saying her strategy is working. The lingerie retailer bloomberg.com forecasts its best year since splitting from L Brands with revenue climbing to highest levels since the separation. Prada bloomberg.com reported 2025 results meeting expectations while warning Versace integration will dilute margins. Target wsj.com plans to open more than 30 new locations this year as part of long-term growth strategy.
Deal Activity
Sierra Space bloomberg.com raised $550 million, boosting its valuation to $8 billion as it pursues defense contracting. Mapletree Investments bloomberg.com agreed to sell East Coast warehouses to EQT Real Estate for $575 million. State-owned lender KfW bloomberg.com is working with JPMorgan on potential KNDS stake purchase.
Regional Markets
UK mortgage costs bloomberg.com are set to rise as swap rates hit yearly highs amid Iran war concerns. France, Italy and Greece bloomberg.com are coordinating efforts in Eastern Mediterranean as tensions flare. Dubai's bloomberg.com status as Middle East safe haven faces challenges from the ongoing conflict.
Market Strategy
BofA strategists investing.com said US macro risks are likely limited unless oil spikes become pronounced. Investors bloomberg.com haven't lost faith in emerging markets despite Middle East conflict roiling riskier assets. State Street's Noel Dixon bloomberg.com said investors need to come to grips with reaccelerating inflation as a new market reality.
Technology & AI
Meta finance.yahoo.com will allow AI rivals on WhatsApp to stave off EU regulatory action. Lio finance.yahoo.com raised $30 million from Andreessen Horowitz to automate enterprise procurement. The Iran war ft.com could expose AI risks to India's outsourcing industry as agentic tools threaten repetitive work.