Public Markets 24 Hours

Last updated: August 6, 2026, 2:31 PM ET

Market Movers and Shakers

U.S. stocks slipped, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average being pulled down by declines in shares of Salesforce, Boeing, and United Health. The S&P 500 index saw a broad-based decline, influenced by a rally in oil prices that boosted Treasury yields and fueled inflation concerns. Traders are showing a strong appetite for options that bet on further gains in the S&P 500, an index that has been overshadowed by the more volatile Nasdaq 100 for months. European shares, however, advanced for a fourth consecutive day, buoyed by strong earnings reports and positive sentiment. WPP Plc led the gains in the media sector, with its shares soaring to their highest level since its 1995 initial public offering as turnaround efforts gain momentum. FTSE 100 futures saw a rise on optimism emanating from the Middle East.

Corporate Earnings and Outlooks

Restaurant Brands International reported a rise in profit for the second quarter, driven by a strong performance at Burger King U.S., which defied the broader trend of slowing fast-food demand. Burger King's revamped Whopper is contributing to market share gains, a move that mirrors McDonald's recent overhaul of the Big Mac. Papa John's, cut its annual outlook and suspended its dividend, as its North American business continues to grapple with a soft consumer environment. Krispy Kreme narrowed its loss and expanded margins in its latest quarter, indicating progress in its turnaround plan. United Wholesale Mortgage shares plunged by a record 49% after the lender announced a net loss of $452 million and suspended its dividend for the first time. Planet Fitness Inc. cut its profit outlook, citing investments in marketing and pricing adjustments aimed at boosting sluggish member sign-ups. Six Flags Entertainment Corp. shares slumped after its second-quarter revenue and attendance figures fell short of estimates.

Technology and AI Investments

Alphabet Inc. received approximately $115 billion in orders for its latest jumbo bond sale, signaling a renewed investor appetite for debt linked to the artificial intelligence boom following a recent selloff. Celestica Inc. is seeking to raise $3 billion by selling new shares, joining a wave of companies raising funds for data centers to support the artificial intelligence buildout. Lumilens, a company developing optical gear to accelerate data flow between AI servers, secured new funding at a valuation of $5.5 billion. SoftBank has utilized its stake in OpenAI to borrow $10 billion, as it aims to become a leading builder of AI data centers and a significant investor in AI-powered robotics. Datadog indicated that reduced usage from a major AI customer could impact its growth, although the data-security company still posted second-quarter growth and shared a full-year sales outlook below Wall Street estimates. Investors in commercial mortgage-backed securities are growing wary of artificial intelligence investments, labeling it a "Luddite trade" as tech companies borrow extensively to fund their AI initiatives. China's progress in developing affordable artificial intelligence is shifting investor focus towards the country's internet stocks, moving away from chipmakers.

Energy and Commodities

U.S. imports of Saudi Arabian oil dropped to zero in July, marking the first time this has occurred for an entire month since 1985, according to preliminary government data. Oil prices saw a rally, contributing to a rise in Treasury yields and renewed inflation worries. Gold prices remained above $4,300 an ounce as optimism grew regarding a potential deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which could ease inflationary pressures and reduce expectations for interest rate hikes. Record low water levels on the Rhine River are disrupting supply chains, increasing costs, and posing new risks to economic growth in Europe. Shrinking hydropower reserves in key European markets due to persistent heat waves and droughts this summer threaten to drive electricity prices higher later in the year. Indian sugar mills are preparing to begin crushing cane earlier than usual in the upcoming milling season to bolster supplies and manage record prices before the festival period. Rising cocoa prices are prompting processors to explore options beyond the candy aisle.

Financial Services and Deals

BlackRock TCP is moving $523 million in loans to a Pantheon-backed fund, a transaction that involves nearly half of its debt investments, and the lender is exploring further significant actions. Blackstone Inc.'s publicly traded private credit fund saw its profit drop by 94% in the second quarter due to a decline in the value of its holdings, although loan performance stabilized. Ares is scaling back its €1 billion private credit fund after investors expressed reservations about loan valuations, failing to secure buy-in for its pricing from potential investors. Commerzbank AG has unveiled a new share buyback program valued at €1.2 billion as CEO Bettina Orlopp aims to showcase her strategy's strong returns, amidst ongoing discussions with Italian rival UniCredit SpA, which has accumulated a significant stake. Commerzbank CEO Orlopp has called for constructive dialogue with UniCredit following the Italian bank's acquisition of a near majority stake in its German competitor. Hedge fund Toms Capital Investment Management is escalating its campaign to persuade Voya Financial to explore a sale, directly appealing to the asset manager's shareholders. MetLife Inc.'s second-quarter earnings surpassed Wall Street expectations, supported by robust underwriting, volume growth, and the success of a five-year plan initiated in late 2024.

Global Trade and Geopolitics

Mexico is intensifying security measures in Michoacan in an effort to resume avocado exports, following a US suspension of government activities in the state due to recent violent incidents. Houthi strikes on Yemeni military targets threaten to reignite the civil war, with the Iran-backed militia claiming responsibility for attacks in two resource-rich provinces and escalating violence imperiling a fragile truce. The US is planning to halt key metal waste exports in an effort to reduce reliance on China. European nations are facing increased pressure from forces largely beyond their control, including the Iran and Ukraine wars, wildfires, and migration, as highlighted by a challenging summer. The Colombian peso continues to outperform other emerging market currencies, as investors overlook central bank efforts to slow its appreciation and instead focus on its carry appeal. The South Korean won rose to its highest level in nearly 10 months, driven by exporters converting their dollar earnings into the local currency. China's main steel-industry group advocates for increased use of yuan-denominated index pricing in the iron ore market, arguing that such a shift would better reflect supply and demand dynamics for the world's largest consumer of the commodity.

Regulatory and Legal Developments

Anthony Fauci refused to answer questions at a hearing last week, invoking the Fifth Amendment, leading Republicans to argue he was not entitled to that protection due to a presidential pardon. A rare indictment has been issued against an Israeli settler in the killing of activist Awdah Hathaleen, marking a significant instance where Israeli authorities have pressed charges against an Israeli national in such a case. The Federal Communications Commission voted 2-1 to eliminate the national television ownership cap, stating that proposed station acquisitions would now be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The US is urged to expand its export control regime if it is serious about winning the artificial intelligence race. Scammers are posing as regulators to exploit changes in EU cryptocurrency rules, informing customers of hundreds of unlicensed exchanges to withdraw funds, thereby creating opportunities for fraudsters.

Consumer Trends and Retail

Amidst Cyclospora outbreak demand for locally grown lettuce has surged, with small produce stands and farmers’ markets experiencing increased sales of leafy greens, while lettuce and salad kit sales from grocery chains and large retailers have declined. The owner of Outback Steakhouse has observed diners opting for pricier steaks. Molson Coors Beverage reported a decline in second-quarter sales as the company attempts to balance sluggish customer demand with increased supply costs. Celsius Holdings shares tumbled after the energy drink maker's second-quarter revenue missed expectations, with competition impacting sales of its namesake brand. Keurig Dr Pepper reported higher sales in the second quarter and continues its work to separate into two distinct companies. Warby Parker achieved a second-quarter profit, aided by a tariff refund that offset the costs associated with the upcoming launch of its artificial intelligence eyewear. Kenvue reported increased profit and sales in the second quarter, driven by higher prices and volumes, as the company progresses with its business turnaround ahead of its acquisition by Kimberly-Clark.

Infrastructure and Transportation

A power failure in Manchester caused significant train disruptions in northern England, with Network Rail reporting that the outage began at 2 p.m., leading to hundreds of cancellations. Airlines are pushing back against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement actions at airports, as federal agents are using flight manifests to arrest travelers with lapsed visas, raising concerns about safety and protocol. Marine One, the helicopter used to transport the president, came within less than a mile of an Envoy Air flight in Washington airspace on Tuesday, sparking renewed concerns about air traffic control in the congested area. Half a million missing truck drivers across Europe are creating supply chain and economic challenges, according to union warnings.

Company Specifics and Market Talk