Public Markets 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 1:30 PM ET
Energy & Commodities
Higher oil prices are providing a budget boost wsj.com to energy-producing states, helping to close deficits and fund infrastructure, even as the Trump administration approves nytimes.com a $5 billion ultra-deepwater drilling plan in the Gulf of Mexico. The project, slated to produce up to 10 billion barrels by 2030, faces criticism over environmental risks but underscores a policy push for expanded domestic output.
Legal & Regulatory
Financier Paul Regan pleaded guilty to fraud wsj.com after his firms, Yield Wealth and Next Level Holdings, promised investors guaranteed returns of 10.5% and 15% in a scheme that collapsed. Separately, lobbyist Josh Nass was arrested on extortion charges nytimes.com amid allegations he attempted to extort a client, Joseph Schwartz, a former nursing home executive who had received a presidential pardon. The case highlights scrutiny nytimes.com of pardon-related lobbying activities.
Media & Markets
While prediction markets are gaining popularity, their data on the Oscars holds little interest nytimes.com for established pundits, with one analysis suggesting an 83% chance experts disdain such crowd-sourced forecasting tools, preferring traditional industry analysis over betting odds for award outcomes.