Public Markets 24 Hours

Last updated: July 24, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Geopolitical Tensions and Energy Markets

Oil futures amid renewed fighting in the Middle East, though some analysts suggested the jump could be temporary. Red Sea oil shipments continued to flow despite Houthi attacks, with a Greek tanker exiting the sea while a Chinese vessel headed toward the Bab el-Mandeb strait. China is rushing to buy East Russian oil as Middle East risks grow, while Gulf states are preparing for a debt binge to build routes avoiding the Strait of Hormuz to bypass the Strait. Gold prices as higher real yields and rate-hike bets weighed on the metal's appeal.

Corporate Earnings and Sector Performance

CATL reported sharply driven by surging demand for energy-storage batteries and resilient EV battery sales. SLB logged higher due to increased offshore activity and strong data-center demand. Booz Allen Hamilton despite accelerating demand across parts of its business. Verizon Communications on joint-venture costs, though the company gained postpaid phone connections. Charter Communications as subscriber numbers dropped. SAP shares, reassuring investors about its cloud business resilience. Intel posted fastest, with revenue jumping 25% in the second quarter, fueled by AI data center demand. Travelers Companies Inc. shares surged their, prompting a wave of downgrades. American Express driven by increased card member spending. Boston Beer Company as sales declined. Newmont reported higher despite lower gold prices.

Automotive and Transportation

Volkswagen warned weaker ahead of record job cuts and revised its forecasts, expecting deliveries to fall and sales to be flat or decline 3%. Tesla shares tumbled 15% after disappointing quarterly results, with the rocket maker also off 50% from its highs. Harley-Davidson raised its forecast but remains pressured by European sales and tariffs.

Financial Markets and Banking

US banks are at the tightest valuations since the financial crisis, unsettling investors. Euronext NV is for private securities to rival the UK's. HSBC is to Allianz for $2.1 billion as part of its simplification strategy. Wise Group shares, citing shortcomings in compliance and anti-money laundering checks as per the Genius Act framework. South African fund manager PIC following the suspension of its CEO and resignation of its chairman. Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC Pte in over a decade. Chinese banks are to price new credit, moving toward a new mechanism.

Economic Trends and Global Trade

The dollar as haven flows offer support amid geopolitical tensions, though it but remained elevated on Fed rate-rise prospects. Trump has, with the administration launching new tariffs tied to imports of goods made with forced labor. Japanese shoppers are to a record high. Indonesia is after years of decline. UK pub stocks slumped this week as a heat wave and higher costs offset World Cup sales boosts.

Technology and AI

Concerns about artificial-intelligence spending in market value from the Magnificent Seven on Thursday. Meta faces higher in its latest $12 billion data center financing. Chinese AI models are expected to, according to Singapore’s GIC. CXMT Corp.'s trading debut is igniting hopes of a further hardware rally in China.

Other Notable Developments

Aliko Dangote is to expand fivefold to $100 billion by the end of the decade, targeting London for his cement unit's listing. Zara billionaire Amancio Ortega bought a business center in Paris for about €800 million. Top UK law firm partners are, boosted by IPO work.