Public Markets 24 Hours

Last updated: June 22, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Mergers & Acquisitions

Building materials supplier CRH Plc will acquire Arcosa for approximately $8.5 billion, including debt, in what is poised to be CRH's largest-ever deal. In the biopharmaceutical sector, AbbVie is set to purchase Apogee Therapeutics for $10.9 billion in cash, bolstering its immunology and inflammation offerings. Separately, Godiva Japan is negotiating an extension on its $464 million leveraged buyout loan as the chocolate maker faces challenges in the Asian market.

Energy & Commodities

Oil prices fluctuated amid shifting geopolitical signals, initially falling on progress in U.S.-Iran peace talks before rebounding as doubts over deal durability and renewed threats from President Trump stoked inflation fears and pushed oil higher. Iranian crude exports surged through the Strait of Hormuz, with sellers slashing prices to China following an interim peace deal. Conversely, Qatar is rushing to bring back LNG ships to lift exports, aiming to restore about a fifth of global supply after an incident at the Ras Laffan industrial complex injured dozens and left 18 missing during a plant startup. Elsewhere, Australia's spot power prices jumped due to calm weather, highlighting weather's growing impact on energy markets.

Public Offerings & Market Trends

Electric bike and scooter firm Lime is seeking to raise $180.9 million in its U.S. initial public offering, backed by Uber Technologies Inc. In the defense sector, France and Germany have agreed on equal stakes in tankmaker KNDS NV ahead of its planned initial public offering. Meanwhile, SK Hynix has surpassed Samsung Electronics to become South Korea's most valuable company, driven by the artificial intelligence chip boom, prompting South Korean authorities to consider measures to curb risks from leveraged ETFs tracking these companies and their peers. Chinese AI-related stocks rallied on policy support, though a gauge of Chinese stocks in Hong Kong neared bear market territory after the holiday, weighed down by weak consumption data and investor focus on AI elsewhere.

European Markets & Politics

Bets on easing inflation and stronger economic growth are boosting European stocks, though some strategists see European equities potentially lagging behind U.S. and emerging market peers in the latter half of the year as falling oil prices threaten earnings growth. The pound traded near a multi-year low following Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation announcement, with traders assessing the potential impact on fiscal policy and market stability. In the defense industry, Italy is open to Germany joining a fighter jet project, though progress may be slowed.

Fixed Income & Treasury Markets

Japanese government bond yields rose amid Middle East uncertainty, contrasting with a broader rally in U.S. Treasuries as traders priced in a potential September Federal Reserve rate cut. However, Treasuries declined later as President Trump's threats against Iran fueled inflation concerns. Bond investors have gained access to a single stream of UK trading data as a transparency initiative went live, aiming to provide greater clarity in the fixed income market. India's asset-backed securities market has reached a record high, with global banks increasing purchases to tap into the nation's rapid economic expansion.

Technology & Innovation

The share of employed 2025 computer science graduates holding the title of 'founder' has doubled at 20 top universities, indicating a growing entrepreneurial ambition among tech talent. China's AI ecosystem is evolving rapidly, with companies like DeepSeek releasing cost-effective frontier models and rallies in Chinese AI stocks reflecting optimism and policy support. However, concerns persist over the concentration of power within the AI sector, with warnings that robots could eventually replace delivery workers.

Global Trade & Supply Chains

China has imposed export controls on two U.S. rare earth producers, a move targeting manufacturers central to U.S. efforts to rebuild domestic supply chains for critical magnets. This action escalates trade tensions and highlights the vulnerability of global supply chains, particularly in light of disruptions in key shipping chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing conflicts. Meanwhile, the Chinese steel market is navigating a prolonged period of weakened demand following the property crash, though manufacturing and exports are providing some offset to the decline.

Corporate Strategy & Outlook

The defense and nuclear-equipment group Babcock International is launching a $265 million buyback program, though its pretax profit for the fiscal year fell compared to the previous year. In the retail sector, Bed Bath & Beyond will accept decades-old coupons, a move that may appeal to loyal customers. Nike's CEO acknowledged restructuring challenges, indicating that efforts to revive the brand are taking longer than anticipated.

Economic Policy & Commentary

The Portuguese government plans to create a sovereign wealth fund to retain state stakes in strategic economic sectors. In Hungary, Gergely Tardos, head of research at OTP Bank, has been appointed chief executive of the government's Debt Management Agency, tasked with implementing cost-cutting measures. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who died at, was remembered as a pre-eminent economic policymaker whose market-friendly stances were later associated with destructive financial forces following periods of prosperity and crisis. The European Central Bank must remain vigilant regarding the potential impact of higher oil and commodity prices on wages, according to Governing Council member Jose Luis Escrivá due to Middle East conflict.