Public Markets 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 5:31 AM ET
Energy & Commodities
Oil futures slipped 1.3% bloomberg.com in early Asian trade after drone attacks disrupted loading operations at Fujairah port, while liquefied petroleum gas tankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz bloomberg.com bound for India, offering relief to acute shortages caused by Persian Gulf supply disruptions. The record 3.2 billion domestic trips bloomberg.com during China's Spring Festival travel season fueled expectations for stronger energy demand, though geopolitical tensions kept markets volatile.
Fixed Income
Japanese government bonds extended their rally bloomberg.com tracking overnight Treasury gains as traders priced in a September Fed rate cut, while Chicago's planned $800 million muni bond sale tested investor appetite amid Middle East supply fears. U.S. airline bonds weakened sharply after jet fuel costs spiked 8% on regional security concerns, with some carriers warning of potential capacity cuts if prices remain elevated.
Metals & Mining
A surge in aluminum prices pushed China Hongqiao's Zhang Bo past the $48 billion mark, making him one of Asia's wealthiest industrialists as industrial metals rallied on supply concerns. The price gains reflect broader commodity strength following the Fujairah disruptions, with base metals outperforming precious metals bloomberg.com as investors rotated into industrial assets amid improving Chinese travel data.