Public Markets 24 Hours

Last updated: August 9, 2026, 2:35 PM ET

Equities

Blockbuster earnings from the largest U.S. companies have bolstered the stock market’s record run, easing worries about AI spending and inflationary pressures. Despite a turbulent month, stock funds are up 10.6% so far in 2026, as tech stocks whipsaw on AI expectations. The leveraged ETF boom is amplifying intraday momentum plays on Wall Street, creating new ways to profit from sudden bursts of volatility in technology shares.

European equities are drawing renewed interest from global investors. Europe’s hot stock markets are creating a buzz, with money managers saying this rally will prove more durable than past short-term trades. Investors returning to European stocks are buoyed by strong earnings; companies in the Stoxx Europe 600 are on track to deliver a 22% increase in second‑quarter profits.

Asia‑Pacific markets show mixed signals. Asian carmakers are cashing in as high petrol prices lift U.S. demand for hybrids; July sales jumped by a fifth, benefiting Honda, Hyundai and Toyota. South Korea’s volatility spike has ebbed after leveraged positions were flushed out and regulatory curbs took effect. In China, the bank CICC has become the dominant financier behind Beijing’s AI listings bonanza, driving the race to rival the U.S. in technology.

U.S. consumer brands are seeing overseas sales outpace domestic growth, with chicken, soap, and snacks selling better internationally. Meanwhile, SpaceX experienced a $300 billion swing in market value following its record IPO, putting Elon Musk back into execution mode to deliver on high‑flying promises.

Fixed Income

Wall Street sees signs of bond‑market angst in Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s recent moves; traders and strategists interpret his signals as an effort to keep bond yields from spiking higher. The liquidity of private‑credit funds remains under scrutiny, as managers report the metric differently, with some using aggressive math to project strength. On the housing finance front, condo associations may raise dues soon due to tighter Fannie Mae mortgage rules requiring larger reserve accounts for future repairs.

Currencies

Central banks in emerging Asia are increasingly defending their currencies without dipping into foreign‑exchange reserves, using alternative tools as Middle East tensions and higher‑for‑longer U.S. rates persist. The currency defense makeover helps preserve reserve buffers while supporting local exchange rates.

Commodities & Energy

Geopolitical tensions continue to roil energy markets. Iran is holding firm on Hormuz, pushing for a return to the June MOU and demanding that the U.S. meet new conditions, including compensation for war damage and a withdrawal of forces before reopening the Strait. Israel has rejected Trump’s 15‑point plan to disarm Hamas, while Iranian demands disrupt the president’s plan to end the war. Meanwhile, a missile strike hit a UAE tanker, widening the conflict.

In the coal sector, Indonesia, one of the world’s biggest coal producers, is battling to keep the lights on as price caps discourage companies from supplying the domestic market, leading to blackouts. Cuba, low on oil, is counting on solar energy with China’s help to weather increased U.S. pressure.

Other energy news: Romania extended the output of its Cernavoda nuclear reactor by nine days after explosive works on the Danube increased river flow. Turkey resumed allowing ships to transit its straits on the way to the Black Sea after delays amid heightened security. In weather‑related disruptions, Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in East China after a red alert, canceling more than 1,000 flights and suspending rail services.

Macro & Inflation

China’s inflation cooled more than expected in July, with consumer price growth decelerating and factory‑gate prices easing—signs of tepid domestic demand and the impact of extreme weather and falling oil costs. Separately, China’s inflation eases as the Iran‑war oil shock starts to fade; factory‑gate inflation slowed for the first time since the conflict broke out in late February, another indicator that cost pressures are receding.