Public Markets 24 Hours

Last updated: July 31, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Oil and the Middle East Drive Market Volatility

Oil futures surged on Monday, tracking toward significant monthly gains as tensions in the Middle East escalated with Iran resuming attacks on shipping. The United Arab Emirates’ state-oil company announced it would, shifting to the prompt-month Platts Dubai benchmark from November 1. Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil Holdings Corp. and Chevron Corp. plowed windfall, signaling caution about the sustainability of war-driven price rallies. The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to ease prices in the current phase of the Hormuz crisis. Treasury yields and the dollar edged higher amid lingering Middle East tensions and concerns about inflation.

Tech Stocks Face Headwinds Amid AI Hype and Supply Chain Issues

U.S. tech stocks experienced a slump, with Apple Inc. leading the decline after its latest forecasts disappointed investors. The iPhone maker's shares tumbled as its AI build-out reportedly hit supply chains and growth expectations, with Chief Executive Tim Cook noting that memory price impacts are set to worsen. Amazon.com Inc. announced plans to $220 billion this year, a significant boost from its earlier projection. Despite this, U.S. stocks fell on Friday, erasing earlier gains that were driven by a surge in Amazon shares, as the broader AI-driven rally faded. Hedge fund firm Situational Awareness in July amidst an AI stock rout, with manager Leopold Aschenbrenner vowing to "fight another day."

Central Banks Navigate Inflation and Quantitative Tightening

The Bank of England is finally aligning with market expectations on quantitative tightening, four years after its initial agreement. The Bank of Japan while issuing hawkish guidance, with new forecasts indicating increased confidence in economic activity and inflation. The U.S. Treasury warned banks, a move that comes amid speculation Tokyo intervened to support the currency. Bond investors about inflation due to the Federal Reserve's perceived lack of clear guidance on its future policy path.

Corporate Earnings and Dealmaking Reflect Shifting Market Dynamics

Sony Group Corp. boosted its outlook as its music and image-sensor businesses fueled profit growth, even as its game division remained lackluster. Abb Vie Inc. lowered full-year to account for its acquisition of Apogee Therapeutics, while reporting higher profit and revenue. Nat West Group PLC raised its guidance and brought forward plans for a buyback announcement, reporting a 29% rise in pretax profit following its acquisition of Evelyn Partners. BP PLC, a move that could mark the end of its oil production in the country after 60 years.

Energy Markets Brace for Continued Volatility

U.S. natural gas futures, returning some gains that followed a lower-than-expected weekly storage injection. Europe gas reserves stemming from the Iran war, with winter reserves lagging and continued high prices anticipated for households and businesses. BP PLC, as part of efforts to streamline operations.

Financial Markets Grapple with Regulatory and Technical Challenges

New York Attorney General Letitia James's office, asserting that the prediction market meets the legal definition of gambling. Trading in most Brazilian assets was suspended on Friday due to technical issues at the country's main stock exchange, the B3. The UK Financial Conduct Authority unveiled the scope of data it will allow to be published on UK equities trading, a move intended to encourage more activity on the London Stock Exchange.

Global Equities Show Mixed Performance Amid Sectoral Strength

Asian stocks as investors piled into chipmakers, buoyed by strong earnings from major tech firms that reinforced optimism over AI demand. South Korea's Kospi Index, with its benchmark index topping 60% in volatility, nearly double that of Japan's Nikkei. Foreign investors, however, opting for fixed-income assets and missing out on a 66% rally that made the market the world's best performer.

Private Markets and Investment Funds Face Scrutiny

Ares secured largest in three years, with equity commitments up more than 40% from a year ago. The financial advisers touting private funds are not always disclosing the significant tax bills that can accompany them. Investment giants like KKR in the private-credit industry by selling private-equity investments to boost profits, while Blue Owl reported that investor withdrawals had bottomed out.

Commodity Prices Fluctuate Amid Supply Concerns and Geopolitical Factors

Copper set monthly as a shortage of raw materials for Chinese smelters worsens the outlook for global supplies. Iron ore climbed as the threat of strike action by BHP Group workers at the Port Hedland export hub raised concerns about potential supply disruptions, though weak Chinese demand is expected to cap price gains.