Public Markets 24 Hours

Last updated: August 12, 2026, 5:34 PM ET

U.S. Equities

US stocks closed near all-time highs, led by the technology sector, after a subdued inflation reading helped ease interest-rate hike concerns. The S&P 500 rose to a striking distance of a record as the latest inflation report matched expectations, though the strength of earnings has some investors worried. CoreWeave shares jumped 12% as revenue doubled from a year earlier and a mounting sales backlog of $104 billion showed strong demand for cloud computing. Super Micro Computer reported a quarterly profit of $1.17 billion, up from $195.2 million in the year-ago period. Yardeni raised his S&P 500 target to 8,400, topping his own Street-high forecast, citing “fabulous earnings momentum.”

Fixed Income & Rates

A $42 billion auction of 10-year US Treasuries resulted in the highest yield for the benchmark securities since 2007. Yields on eurozone government bonds also rose as investors exercised caution ahead of the U.S. CPI data. The WSJ Dollar Index ended Tuesday’s session flat, while the dollar strengthened to reverse its morning losses. Pimco said market anxiety about the Fed’s inflation-fighting credentials is overdone and that US bond yields at current levels look attractive.

Commodities & Energy

Gold extended gains as US inflation data eased concerns about Federal Reserve rate hikes, settling 0.6% higher for a fourth-consecutive session, while silver rose 1.2%. Oil futures ended little changed in cautious trading with the market still focused on the Strait of Hormuz. The IEA said global oil demand is set for a deeper contraction this year as renewed hostilities in the Middle East and shipping disruptions push up fuel prices. US natural gas futures rose ahead of weekly inventory data, supported by hotter weather forecasts. US crude oil stockpiles posted an unexpected build of 17.4 million barrels, according to weekly data.

Currencies & Emerging Markets

The yen edged closer to the key level of 160 per dollar, with traders watching for intervention. Yen traders are ramping up options market activity ahead of the US inflation data. China’s yuan has come under more pressure to appreciate since the US and Japan moved to strengthen the yen. An early rally in emerging-market currencies fizzled after the dollar reversed losses. A new Katsu Curry Index rivals the Big Mac gauge to show how weak the yen really is.

Corporate & Deal News

Forbes fired its top editor after discovering he received a secret $6 million payment from the founder of Shook Research. Goldman Sachs is doubling down on investor hunger for “boomer candy” ETFs using derivatives to limit downside. Lambda Inc. wrapped up a $926 million leveraged-loan deal to finance AI chip purchases. Brinker International forecast continued growth as Chili’s attracts value-seeking diners. Cracker Barrel’s CEO quietly blessed efforts to find her successor as she publicly charted a turnaround path.

Political & Regulatory

President Trump is being sued over a plan to sell early access to his Truth Social posts, with the lawsuit claiming he stands to gain financially by giving “market-moving” government information to paying customers. The Treasury scaled back scrutiny of US shell companies, declining to enforce reporting requirements of the 2021 Corporate Transparency Act. Paramount has discussed creating a board to ensure CNN’s independence. CEO David Ellison has suggested a possible move out of California as the antitrust battle drags on over the Warner Bros. deal.