Public Markets 24 Hours

Last updated: June 22, 2026, 8:31 PM ET

Geopolitics & Markets

Asian stocks were poised for a positive open as oil prices largely held recent losses following early progress in US-Iran peace talks. Oil edged higher after a near 3% decline in the prior session, with the US waiving sanctions to allow some Iranian crude sales. Hedge funds, anticipating a peace deal, boosted bearish bets on US crude to their highest in nearly five months. The US has eased sanctions on Iran’s oil, reopening the market to the country’s crude for the first time in 35 years, with Iran having shipped 30 million barrels in the week prior to the waiver allowing more countries to buy. Copper prices also rallied as peace talks progress eased inflation fears, with expectations that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz may recover. Despite geopolitical tensions and the threat of war, exchange-traded funds are attracting cash at a record-breaking trillion-dollar pace, a trend attributed to American household investment despite persistent inflation.

Energy & Commodities

The UK expects secure power supplies this winter despite disruptions to energy markets stemming from the Iran conflict, according to the National Energy System Operator NESO. Falling Rhine water levels, however, are straining fuel supply chains in western Europe due to a heat wave, forcing barges to sail with reduced capacity choking shipments. Qatar stated that an explosion at its Ras Laffan site, which left 13 dead and 66 injured, will not affect LNG exports. Meanwhile, US oil production is expected to grow only modestly next year as companies hesitate to spend more in an uncertain market, skipping the chance to grab market share. Chevron is expanding into power production, signing a 20-year agreement with Microsoft for a data center in West Texas that could include a gas-fired plant powered by local natural gas.

Automotive & Transportation

Federal regulators are investigating a fatal Tesla crash in Texas where the driver-assistance system was reportedly in use investigated by federal regulators. Separately, a Tesla crash into a Houston-area home, which killed a woman, is also under federal safety investigation, with the driver stating Autopilot was engaged under federal safety investigation. Chinese carmakers are exploring manufacturing partnerships in Canada, leveraging the country’s low-tariff import quota for electric vehicles, with at least four companies showing interest weighing Canada manufacturing deals. The EV manufacturer Lucid plans to cut 18% of its US workforce, eliminating its chief operating officer position as part of ongoing restructuring efforts aimed at saving approximately $158 million annually restructuring continues. Rising trucking rates are prompting US companies to shift back to railroads for intermodal transit, opting for slower but cheaper options amid high fuel prices driving companies back to railroads.

Technology & AI

Alphabet shares tumbled 3.5% following the departure of another high-profile artificial intelligence leader to a rival. Qualcomm is in advanced talks to acquire AI chip startup Modular for approximately $4 billion, according to people familiar with the matter nears deal for AI chip startup. AI programs that can spot patterns in electrocardiograms missed by humans are becoming more widely available, with one such program to be offered for free to doctors flagging serious heart problems. The economic impact of AI is less concerning than consumers' fear-based reactions to it, according to an opinion piece discussing ‘AI Doomscrolling’ bad for our economy. Western governments and corporations have been cautioned that their lead in AI might not last long, with AI-powered threats potentially succeeding within months Five Eyes warns. Chinese AI stocks have rallied, boosted by supportive policy from Beijing and ongoing global demand for the technology rally on demand optimism.

M&A & Corporate Finance

Building-materials supplier CRH is set to acquire rival Arcosa for approximately $8.5 billion, including debt, in a significant move within the sector acquires rival for $8.5 billion. Abb Vie has agreed to acquire Apogee Therapeutics for about $10.9 billion in cash, bolstering its immunology and inflammation portfolio in the company’s largest deal in over half a decade buys inflammatory disease drug. Edgewell Personal Care Co., the maker of Schick razors, has rejected an unsolicited takeover offer from private equity firm Yellow Wood Partners rejects unsolicited takeover offer. Germany’s RWE plans to raise approximately €4.1 billion ($4.7 by selling shares to increase its stake in Amprion, a transmission system operator plans capital raise. Avis Budget Group Inc. is expected to receive $650 million in cash as part of a settlement with Pentwater Capital Management concerning short-swing profits set for Pentwater payout.

Public Offerings & Capital Markets

Bending Spoons SpA, a company focused on acquiring struggling software businesses, and some of its backers are seeking to raise as much as $1.62 billion in an initial public offering seeks $1.62 billion in IPO. Silver mining company Sinda Ltd. is looking to raise up to $345.2 million in a US initial public offering and private placement, capitalizing on rising metals prices seeks IPO funds. Lime, the electric bike and scooter rental firm backed by Uber Technologies Inc., and its shareholders are seeking to raise up to $180.9 million in its US initial public offering seeks $180.9 million IPO. Sony Group Corp. is preparing to issue dollar bonds for the first time in nearly three decades, marketing the offering as it returns to the US investment-grade bond market plans dollar-bond sale.

Fixed Income

Japanese government bonds extended their rally tracking overnight gains in U.S. Treasurys as traders anticipate a September Fed rate cut. Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s commitment to lowering inflation bolsters Fed credibility and supports long-dated Treasury yields, according to Citadel Securities Citadel says Warsh could stabilize bonds. Venezuela’s bonds tumbled to a two-month low as investors brace for a review of the nation’s debt burden and economic prospects. Mexico is tapping global bond markets to fund a buyback of its existing debt amid pressure from credit-rating agencies to reduce the government’s deficit funds bond buyback. Deutsche Bank AG analysts recommend shorting Paragon’s debut bond, citing the UK business services group's reliance on acquisitions for growth targets Paragon debt.

Global Equities & Strategy

SpaceX shares tumbled over 16% following a fresh rise in US bond yields, wiping out significant market value after its debut rally reversed. The company’s shares fell amid reports of plans to sell at least $20 billion in bonds, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite declined 1.3% and the Dow rose 0.3% prepares bond-market debut. US equity futures were mixed, with enthusiasm for semiconductors offset by weakness in major tech names as oil slipped following tense US-Iran talks futures mixed on tech strength. Chinese artificial intelligence-related stocks have jumped, driven by supportive policy and global demand for the technology Chinese AI stocks rally. Bets on easing inflation and stronger economic growth are boosting European stocks, signaling the return of a "buy Europe" trade stagflation fears ease.

Regulatory & Legal

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s use of federal citizenship data to screen voters violated several laws prohibiting data disclosure data tool cannot screen voters. A lawsuit filed by USA Rare Earth Inc. pushes back against allegations from rival MP Materials Corp., calling the lawsuit an attempt to hinder the company’s growth rebuts rival suit. The Justice Department has stopped criminal prosecutions of individuals who install “defeat devices” that bypass pollution controls on pickups, making diesel trucks more efficient but dirtier eases pollution control rules. A judge quashed subpoenas issued by the Justice Department to Minnesota officials, finding they were designed to harass and retaliate against Democratic officials who opposed the Trump administration on immigration enforcement finds DOJ overreach.

Other Markets & Developments

Japan’s retail currency traders have stopped betting against the yen, heeding government warnings and positioning themselves at odds with professional investors who anticipate further weakness retail traders bet on yen. Domino’s Pizza has appointed veteran executive Joe Jordan as its new CEO, succeeding Russell Weiner as the company navigates a challenging period for the pizza industry picks insider as new CEO. The operating company of On the Border Mexican Grill has filed for Chapter 7 liquidation, closing all company-owned locations, though franchised restaurants will continue to operate independently files for Chapter 7 liquidation. CME Group Inc.’s CME Direct trading platform has resumed operations after experiencing brief technical disruptions platform back up.