Public Markets 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 7:30 AM ET
Public Markets Briefing
Energy & Commodities
Oil futures dropped 1.3% bloomberg.com in early Asian trade as OPEC+ signaled potential output increases, while gold held near $2,340 wsj.com as a weakening dollar offset risk-on sentiment. A surge in aluminum prices bloomberg.com pushed China Hongqiao's Zhang Bo past the $48 billion mark, cementing his position among Asia's wealthiest industrialists. Meanwhile, U.S. airline bonds weakened 8% bloomberg.com after jet fuel costs spiked on Middle East supply fears, and Chicago's planned muni bond sale bloomberg.com is testing investor appetite amid geopolitical uncertainty.
Fixed Income
Japanese government bonds extended gains bloomberg.com tracking overnight Treasury rallies as traders increasingly price in a September Fed rate cut. The UK plans to overhaul nuclear regulation bloomberg.com to speed up projects after a review criticized its risk aversion, while India considers Covid-era relief for exporters bloomberg.com hurt by Iran war disruptions. Emerging market stocks set for a second weekly drop bloomberg.com as Brent oil stays above $100 amid deepening Middle East conflict.
Geopolitical Impact
The dollar extended gains wsj.com to its highest level in over three months as the Iran conflict shows no signs of abating, driving investors to safe-haven assets. Hong Kong plans to 'name and shame' lawyers and auditors ft.com over IPO work quality amid a surge in Chinese companies seeking city listings. Nigeria's central bank prepared contingency measures bloomberg.com to stabilize the naira as investors dump riskier emerging-market assets.
Private Credit & Regulation
A private credit exodus wsj.com continues to reshape markets, while hedge funds face renewed scrutiny nytimes.com in Europe's whipsawed rates market. The UK's overhaul of nuclear regulation bloomberg.com aims to accelerate projects, contrasting with the U.S. plans to speed up nuclear projects ft.com by weakening wildlife protections.