Public Markets 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 9:30 PM ET
Energy & Commodities
Oil futures slipped 1.3% wsj.com in early Asian trade as OPEC+ signaled potential output increases, while gold held steady wsj.com near $2,340/oz despite a weakening dollar. The surge in aluminum prices wsj.com pushed China Hongqiao's Zhang Bo past the $48 billion mark, cementing his position among Asia's wealthiest industrialists. Meanwhile, fuel shortages from Middle East conflicts bloomberg.com are threatening global food supplies as farmers across Asia and Europe face scarcity of fuel needed to operate essential equipment.
Geopolitical Tensions
President Trump warned of military action ft.com against Iran's oil infrastructure if Tehran impeded shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the U.S. vowed to block Iranian attempts nytimes.com to shut down the strategic waterway. The Pentagon is deploying approximately 2,500 Marines to the Middle East to bolster regional security amid escalating tensions.
Transportation & Infrastructure
A chemical smell at an air traffic control center nytimes.com triggered ground stops at Washington and Baltimore airports, with delays expected until at least midnight according to the FAA. The incident rippled across the air-traffic system wsj.com, prompting a scramble among passengers and affecting flights at the airport serving Richmond, Virginia. Transportation officials are investigating the source of the odor that disrupted operations at the critical control facility.
Legal & Regulatory
A California judge questioned the validity ft.com of Elon Musk's $134 billion claim against OpenAI, describing it as "numbers out of the air" while declining to exclude the testimony from an April trial. Separately, a judge temporarily blocked nytimes.com the Trump administration's demand for seven years of student race data, siding with Democratic attorneys general who sued to overturn the new policy.
Corporate & Private Markets
Jared Kushner solicited $5 billion nytimes.com from foreign governments and other investors for his private equity firm while serving as Mideast envoy, according to sources familiar with the fundraising efforts. The dual role has raised ethical concerns as Kushner continues to seek capital from entities with interests in the region where he holds diplomatic responsibilities.
Social & Cultural
The $40 billion youth sports industry has only one clear winner wsj.com: Dick's Sporting Goods, which has capitalized on parents spending unprecedented time and money on youth athletics. Meanwhile, a Michigan synagogue attack nytimes.com left communities reeling after a truck crashed through the doors, with staff members recounting their efforts to save lives during the antisemitic violence.