Public Markets 3h Briefing

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 11:37 PM ET

Macro & Equities

Blockbuster earnings wsj.com from the largest U.S. companies extended stocks’ record run, easing investor worries about AI spending and inflation. Meanwhile, China’s consumer inflation wsj.com cooled more than expected in July, and factory-gate inflation eased for the first time since the Iran war, according to Bloomberg bloomberg.com, as cost pressures from the oil shock began to fade.

Energy & Commodities

Indonesia, one of the world’s biggest coal producers, is struggling to keep its own lights on as a price cap ft.com meant to contain domestic costs discourages companies from supplying the local market, causing blackouts. In a separate shift, Cuba wsj.com is turning to solar power with Chinese help as it runs low on oil, easing pressure from U.S. sanctions.

Tech & Listings

China International Capital Corp ft.com has become the dominant financier of Beijing’s drive to compete in the AI race, underwriting a wave of domestic artificial intelligence listings.