Public Markets 24 Hours

Last updated: July 15, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Geopolitical Tensions Drive Oil Prices and Market Volatility

Oil futures surged higher as the U.S. reinstated its blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that slowed shipping and risked a return to higher energy prices. Commercial crude oil stocks in the U.S. posted weekly of 1.7 million barrels, exceeding analyst expectations. The renewed hostilities in the critical waterway have, with stockpiles that previously acted as shock absorbers now running low . The U.S. war against Iran has, with the focus on the Strait of Hormuz, although the extent of U.S. military action to assert control remains unclear . Analysts are warning that the market is as the key waterway closes once more .

Tech Sector Faces Headwinds Amid AI Boom and Shifting Market Dynamics

SpaceX shares for the first time, trading under $135 and wiping $1 trillion from the company's valuation, as the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite also dropped. This sell-off also impacted Morgan Stanley's wealth management division, which had benefited. Meanwhile, IBM's share price plunged sharply after previewing disappointing quarterly results, signaling potential headwinds for software and tech consulting companies, with some analysts suggesting it could be a "canary in the tech coal mine" . Chipmaker ASML, however, raised its forecasts and struck a bullish tone on the durability of the AI boom, driving demand for its chipmaking equipment. Chinese AI developer DeepSeek is preparing to list shares in Shanghai next year, seeking more funds for costly research in its race with U.S. competitors.

Financial Markets Navigate Mixed Economic Signals and Corporate Dealmaking

Gold settled lower on Comex, with silver also falling, marking a downward trend for both metals over the past seven sessions . In a significant development, Uber is reportedly nearing a €12.5 billion deal to acquire Delivery Hero, though the German group will spin off its Turkish and some European operations to a different buyer. Advent International and Stripe have made a $53 billion offer for PayPal, a move that has sent shares in the New York-listed group surging. Wall Street banks have unveiled record quarterly profits, but risks loom, with many seeing a "Goldilocks run" that may not last. BNY Mellon after posting a climb in profit, reporting net income of $1.7 billion for the second quarter . U.S. producer prices declined by 0.3% in June, a reversal from the previous month's increase, while Asian stocks gained on softer U.S. inflation data, dialing back expectations of further U.S. rate hikes.

UK Utility and Housing Sectors Face Uncertainty Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

Thames Water, cautioning that it can survive for 12 months but liquidity may fall short before recapitalization. The company's outlook has become a focus for Britain's next prime minister, who is set to make an announcement on the sector . In the housing market, Barratt Developments following investor pressure, after posting a pretax profit increase for the fiscal year. Separately, the UK antitrust watchdog launched an initial merger probe into Danone's proposed $1.2 billion acquisition of Huel, examining potential impacts on competition.

China's Economic Growth Slows as Global Trade and Resource Competition Intensify

China's economy grew at its slowest pace in years, with a 4.3 percent expansion in the second quarter reflecting a broad slump outside of its export-oriented manufacturing sector . This slowdown coincides with China's race to overtake European supercars, with Chinese automaker BYD challenging established brands. Beijing's export controls on rare earths and other niche metals are distorting markets and fueling resource nationalism, prompting the EU to prepare a crisis team for a potential stand-off over rare earths. Chinese chipmaker CXMT is seeking $10 billion in what could be the largest IPO in China since 2010, capitalizing on the boom in demand for.

Consumer and Transportation Sectors Grapple with Evolving Demand and Infrastructure Challenges

Credit card delinquency rates are at their highest in 15 years, yet this is not significantly impacting major banks' earnings, suggesting a disconnect between broader consumer credit health and large lender performance. AT&T and Verizon are looking beyond traditional family plans to offer new wireless service options that could. In the auto sector, the American EV market has seen a retreat from major U.S. automakers, despite booming global sales, raising questions about the industry's future. Hyundai workers in South Korea are partially striking over concerns about job prospects due to advancements in humanoid robots. Meanwhile, Newark airport faces potential disruptions as controller staffing is set to drop by about one-fifth by the end of the month.