Public Markets 24 Hours

Last updated: August 1, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Market Movements and Corporate News

equities experienced a mixed performance, with the FTSE 100 hitting a record high, prompting a surge in trading volumes on UK investment platforms. The S&P 500 saw a tentative recovery, though underlying sector swings masked growing cracks in market assumptions. US stocks higher as Amazon's earnings offset concerns from Apple's chip-related issues, with Amazon's shares surging 15% on the back of accelerating cloud-computing sales. Nasdaq Composite also climbed, with Amazon's rise counterbalancing a decline in Apple's stock. However, a broader rally driven by artificial intelligence cooled, leading to a dip in US stocks despite Amazon's strong performance. age "The Magnificent 7" may be over, with some suggesting such monikers are professional hype-building tools. Volatility in markets is now being interpreted as a more accurate reflection of economic realities, rather than a sign of mispricing risk.

In the financial sector, UniCredit is set to hold talks regarding Commerzbank AG's future, with Bettina Orlopp preparing for discussions that will also impact her own position. New York avoided a debt downgrade from Fitch and Moody’s, but both agencies warned of potential cuts if deficits are not addressed. The US Treasury is exploring the possibility of entering the repurchase agreement market, a move that could reshape funding markets and revive a two-decade-old concept. BlackRock's "Widow Treasury ETF has fallen to its lowest level since 2004, as persistent inflation concerns continue to impact longer-dated US Treasuries. Bond traders are paying the highest premiums since March to hedge against further increases in longer-dated yields, reflecting ongoing market uncertainty following the Federal Reserve's policy meeting. US state and local government debt experienced its worst July since 2003, deviating from typical summer market patterns due to rising Treasury yields and increased issuance.

giants Amazon and Apple delivered significant market drama to conclude a turbulent month, with record market-cap movements for the two companies contributing to a 1% gain in the Nasdaq. Apple's shares as its AI infrastructure build-out impacted supply chains and growth, with CEO Tim Cook noting that memory price impacts are expected to worsen. Amazon announced it is increasing its AI infrastructure spending to $220 billion this year, a rise from its earlier projection of $200 billion in 2026. Meanwhile, rival disclosed that its software had successfully hacked three companies, a development occurring as OpenAI reportedly lost its AI lead to competitors. Earth's AI tool was withdrawn after a series of fake satellite images emerged, raising concerns among security experts about the erosion of trust in images used for verifying conflict damage.

Energy and Commodities

Oil futures with significant monthly gains, driven by renewed Iranian attacks on shipping in the Red and Black Seas and disputes with the U.S. over the Strait of Hormuz. funds increased their bullish bets on U.S. oil at the fastest pace since March, anticipating further demand for American crude due to supply disruptions. rising fuel prices, the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve will not be utilized to ease market pressures in the current phase of the conflict. Exxon Mobil Chevron directed their substantial profits toward debt reduction rather than significant buyback increases, indicating caution about the sustainability of war-driven price rallies. U.S. natural futures experienced a modest decline, ending the month down 16%. Abu Dhabi abandoned its ambition to establish a global oil benchmark, with Adnoc returning to pricing its crude against the Dubai benchmark after geopolitical events exposed issues with its Murban futures. United Arab Emirates' state oil company will begin basing its official selling prices on the prompt-month Platts Dubai benchmark starting November 1st.

International Markets and Economics

India's push to attract overseas capital has yielded over $40 billion since June, bolstering the Reserve Bank of India's foreign-currency reserves and aiding efforts to stabilize the rupee amid rising crude prices. Indian consumer are planning further price increases for products ranging from toothpaste to tires and paint ahead of the festival season, marking the second consecutive quarter of such hikes due to prolonged Middle East conflict and rising input costs. Maruti Suzuki Ltd.'s profits missed analyst estimates once again, as increased commodity costs offset strong revenue growth and export performance. Macau's gaming fell 8.4% in July, marking the second consecutive monthly decline due to travel disruptions from Typhoon Noul and distractions from the World Cup.

South Korean won has been one of the world's best performers, strengthening by nearly 8% against the dollar in the past month despite a sell-off in tech stocks. Korea's export growth has moderated but remains solid, supported by demand for chips. South Korean stock market surged 18%, with investors returning to AI-related stocks and chipmakers rebounding after a challenging month, aided by a Wall Street rally. Colombia is set to build its international reserves, aiming for up to $4 billion to weaken its currency from a seven-year high. Chile recorded its weakest second-quarter copper production in data going back to 2007, highlighting challenges for the world's largest supplier as aging mines struggle to increase output.

Geopolitical and Regulatory Developments

The U.S. Treasury has undertaken a significant intervention in the yen market, with the New York Federal Reserve selling euros to purchase yen following speculation of Japanese intervention to support its currency. The dollar weakened against the yen as authorities signaled potential intervention to support the Japanese currency, which has depreciated substantially in recent years. European Union are set to require companies to label chatbots, deepfakes, and AI-generated marketing materials, signaling a new era of AI oversight. Companies are rushing to complete deals under a regulatory environment described by many as the most favorable for businesses in years. Legislation has been introduced to expand sales of higher-ethanol gasoline, including exemptions for certain small oil refineries from annual blending mandates.

Tens of thousands of Moroccans surged into Ceuta, a Spanish territory bordering Morocco, on Thursday, with most departing by Friday evening. Far-right politicians seized on the event, with some migrants attributing their arrival to lax Moroccan border controls, while European anti-immigrant politicians blamed Spain's migrant-friendly policies. surge migrants into Ceuta is being attributed to a combination of factors, including lax Moroccan policing, attractive Spanish immigration policies, and misinformation from human traffickers, though experts note it is too early to determine definitive causes. Russia's upgraded missiles, notably the low-cost Banderol, are being used to strike Black Sea ports in Ukraine. Iran's ongoing has prompted companies to raise prices on a range of products, including beer, paint, and fries, due to increased commodity and freight costs.

Corporate Dealmaking and Strategy

KKR is nearing a deal valued at over $4 billion to acquire medical device maker Integer Holdings, a company that had been targeted by an activist hedge fund. Street-backed MEMX LLC, an exchange operator, will combine with equity options market BOX, with Canada's TMX Group gaining control of the merged entity. Westinghouse Electric nuclear technology and services supplier, has confidentially filed for an initial public offering, nine years after cost overruns led to bankruptcy protection. Intercontinental Exchange owner of the NYSE, is pursuing a $6 billion deal for Market Axess, betting on the rise of electronic trading in fixed-income markets. NXP is in discussions to acquire a designer of camera chips for self-driving cars for over $3 billion, a move that would occur amid a wave of consolidation in the semiconductor industry driven by the AI revolution.

Ellison's legal team is employing a risky courtroom strategy to secure his $81 billion Warner deal, with options including encouraging states to withdraw from a lawsuit to facilitate the Paramount-Warner merger. California Governor Newsom has expressed concerns about the state's antitrust lawsuit against Paramount, suggesting that blocking the $81 billion deal could harm Hollywood jobs. Couche-Tard's CEO anticipates shareholder pressure regarding the company's $8.7 billion takeover offer for Żabka Group, but remains confident in securing the deal. arms tycoon Michal Strnad has expanded his holdings with a stake purchase in Pirelli, adding to his already significant wealth generated from the successful listing of his defense company.

Other Notable Developments

The U.S. Coast Guard is implementing measures to address brain injuries sustained by crews in rough seas, with the Commandant vowing decisive action for recognition, treatment, and prevention. California lettuce are choosing to skip harvests and plow crops back into the ground, partly due to consumer hesitancy amid concerns about the cyclospora bacteria, despite no direct link to U.S. produce. Ford is shifting its focus away from producing conventional family sedans and minivans, aiming for a lineup of more "passionate" vehicles like the Mustang and Bronco. Universal Music shares experienced their worst day since their IPO, closing 25% lower in Amsterdam after subscription revenue failed to meet investor expectations. Novo Nordisk dropped 10% following disappointing results from a cardiovascular drug trial, as the Danish drugmaker seeks to diversify beyond its successful obesity treatments.

Former Congressman Santos has agreed to pay over $35,000 to settle allegations of manipulating a wager on the prediction market platform Kalshi concerning his attendance at the 2026 State of the Union address. New York sued Kalshi Inc.'s trading subsidiary, alleging it operated an illegal, unlicensed gambling operation within the state, adding another legal challenge for the prediction market industry.