Public Markets 24 Hours

Last updated: August 12, 2026, 11:34 PM ET

Global Equities

U.S. stocks closed mixed as deadlock in the Middle East offset benign inflation data and strong AI earnings. The S&P 500 edged higher, with some investors now worrying that earnings growth has been too strong to sustain. Ed Yardeni raised his S&P 500 target to 8,400, citing fabulous earnings momentum. Tech shares led gains, with Cisco reporting a sharp profit jump on AI orders, while optical stocks soared on renewed AI spending confidence. However, power stocks lost steam as a data-center backlash complicates the outlook.

Asian equities rallied, lifted by tech and a subdued U.S. inflation report that eased rate-hike fears. The Nikkei rose 1.8%, driven by chip and electronics stocks. South Korean stocks surged 23% in ten days, as the chip rally regained steam on AI trade revival. SK Hynix and Samsung gained on a report that Temasek plans to invest. In Australia, ASX shares jumped most in six years after an upbeat listings outlook, while AGL Energy jumped on strong battery performance. Origin Energy shares also rose after profit beat. In Singapore, JPMorgan boosted its target for Singapore stocks on robust economic growth.

European indexes mostly fell as Middle East tensions weighed, but Vestas shares soared on a wind turbine order bounce and a share buyback. The Copenhagen-listed group also raised profit guidance, and its CEO said EU merger rules hinder global competition. Air Baltic bonds slumped on a debt-for-equity swap plan. In the UK, power supplies are expected to be stretched during the total solar eclipse.

Fixed Income

U.S. Treasury yields stabilized after the July CPI report. A $42 billion auction of 10-year Treasuries resulted in the highest yield since 2007, luring decent appetite. Eurozone government bond yields rose ahead of the U.S. data. Pimco’s Seidner said angst over Fed credibility is overdone, and current bond yields look attractive. Powerball jackpot swelled to $1 billion partly due to higher bond yields affecting annuity calculations. The Treasury scaled back enforcement of shell company reporting rules under the Corporate Transparency Act.

Currencies

Asian currencies consolidated against the dollar, supported by Fed rate-cut prospects. The yen edged closer to 160 per dollar, keeping traders on watch for intervention. Japan’s producer prices rose at an elevated pace in July, complicating the BOJ’s rate path. Yen intervention put additional pressure on China’s yuan to appreciate, potentially draining growth support. The dollar recovered from morning losses, with Treasury yields also reversing declines. Emerging-market currencies traded mixed after the CPI data failed to shift Fed bets. The rand carry trade lured investors to South African bonds at the fastest pace since January.

Commodities

Oil futures fell amid rising U.S. inventories. U.S. crude oil stockpiles unexpectedly built by 17.4 million barrels last week. Oil also declined in early Asian trade. The market remains focused on the Strait of Hormuz, where talks appear at a standstill. OPEC again cut its oil-demand forecast for this year as Hormuz talks stall. Russia’s oil output lagged its OPEC+ quota by almost a million barrels a day in July due to Ukrainian drone attacks. Black Sea oil tanker rates surged to a record after a flurry of drone attacks. Saudi Arabia reported a million-barrel output rebound in July. The IEA said the Hormuz standoff derails oil supply recovery and deepens demand slump. The UAE is shuttling Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Americans are paying record-high fuel prices for this time of year. Natural gas futures rose on hotter weather forecasts.

Gold advanced after tame U.S. inflation data eased rate-hike bets. Gold rose to a two-month high, settling 0.6% higher for a fourth straight session. Silver rose 1.2%, up eight of the past 11 sessions. The USDA made a surprise cut to corn yield projections to 180.7 bushels an acre. China’s commitment to buy U.S. soybeans is being tested as private crushers hold back. Colombian coffee exports partially resumed after the earthquake, but the port disruption hit vital export routes. Palm oil and other commodities were discussed in market talks. Premium sneaker brand throttled wholesale growth while Target hired its first chief AI officer.

Economy & Central Banks

July U.S. CPI showed inflation easing slightly, with falling energy prices, but prices remain elevated as war drags on. The benign data offers a reprieve to the Fed as it weighs a rate increase. Consumer debt data shows overall health but persistent divides. Homeowners are tapping home equity as cash tightens. The labor market slowed as employers grew wary of hiring. India’s inflation held within the RBI’s target range, cementing expectations of a pause. Brazil’s Congress approved spending control measures in a fiscal nod from Lula. Brazil election jitters hit the popular carry trade. The RBA’s Assistant Governor said Australia’s home price drop adds to restrictive stance. Housing market jitters grip Australian banks on cautious outlook. Switzerland pushes ahead with post-Credit Suisse crackdown.

Corporate & Deal News

Tata Group shares lost about $4.5 billion in value after Chairman Chandrasekaran announced he will step down. Investors turn focus to succession and strategy. The chair's exit escalates a succession row. Tata chair to step down as dispute with Noel Tata escalates. Investor Nelson Peltz prepares a bid for Wendy’s via Trian, Blue Five, and Flynn Group. Performance Food sales and profit rose on higher prices. Brinker International guided for growth on Chili’s momentum. Cerebras swung to a Q2 loss of $450.5 million but lifted its full-year outlook. Carnival’s CFO on restoring the balance sheet post-pandemic. GM set a $4.5 billion supply-chain safety net. Foxconn ramped up AI server production, driving a 35% profit beat. Tencent AI spending snuffed out its profit-growth run. Apple is in talks to pay publishers for AI-powered Siri content. StubHub failed to turn a profit despite World Cup revenue surge. Harrods fights with the Al Fayed estate over hundreds of sex abuse claims. Home Depot’s CEO takes medical leave. Carvana gets a balance sheet tune-up. ABN Amro beat profit estimates and raised its revenue outlook. ANZ profit climbed on deposit and loan growth. Shoprite soared as e-commerce boosted full-year profit. Treasury Wine shares jumped on China demand countering weak revenue. Origin Energy profit beat estimates on EV uptake. Deutsche Finance Group real estate fund set to lose Boston life science investment. Paramount has discussed creating a board to ensure CNN’s independence. David Ellison floats Hollywood exit as states threaten his Warner Bros. deal. MEMX files to list binary bets on earnings. Egan-Jones bid to expand ratings business denied by SEC. Norway’s $2.3 trillion fund posted its best quarter since 2020, with record returns. Norway Oil Fund made a record profit buoyed by Asia tech stocks; its CEO said he is more nervous after record returns. New York City’s five pensions gained 13% on surging US stocks. Goldman Sachs doubles down on “Boomer Candy” ETFs. Two Sigma’s Overdeck offered wife $633 million in divorce trial. Forbes fired its top editor after discovering a secret $6 million payment. Trump is sued over plan to sell early access to Truth Social posts. US press groups also sue. Mark Walter’s insurers rush to unwind affiliated investments amid DOJ probe. Walter sells Lakers, seeks cash to pay loans. Stablecoin rule debate. Tariff refunds are turbocharging earnings for Apple, Nike, FedEx. Mexico pushes for lower auto tariffs. Trump tariffs force Canadian companies to move south. Bank of America commits $250bn to US projects. QTS holds calls for a possible $2.85 billion bond sale. Lambda priced a $926 million loan for an AI chip deal. DMG Mori seeks $302 million in a Japan share sale. GoTo Group faces MSCI index exclusion after a plunge. Elliott names candidates for Northern Star board. Lloyds Metals allowed to restart PNG copper mine. Rio Tinto smelter gets $1.8 billion Australian bailout. Germany seeks bids for nationalized Uniper. Form Energy raised $750 million for rust-powered batteries. Turing plans US office, targets $10 billion IPO. Business development companies paying more to borrow. Private equity scores with education deals. Eskom targets data centre “gold rush” for its power surplus. Scotland’s North Sea oil revenues dropped 12%. North Sea oil producers told to speed up well closures. Greenland oil wildcatters delay controversial drilling plan. Oil from grounded tanker threatens Arabian sea bird and turtle habitat. UWM falls from the hamster wheel.

Tech & AI

Cisco reported a sharp profit jump on AI orders. Foxconn boosted AI server production. Tencent AI spending slowed profit growth. Apple in talks to pay publishers for Siri AI content. CoreWeave and Super Micro were highlighted in market talks. Lambda closed a $926M loan for Nvidia-tied chip deals. Nvidia’s AI chips are the subject of big bets by private capital. AI data center power demand may be overstated; two-thirds of sought electricity may never materialize. Optical stocks surged on AI spending. Self-driving startup Turing targets $10B IPO. Taiwan nuclear agency hit by autonomous AI hack linked to China.

Other Markets & Insights

Solar eclipse in Europe caused a total blackout of the sun, with UK power supplies stretched. Photos and videos of the eclipse. Prediction firms flag insider traders, but many avoid charges. NYC investigates Polymarket and Kalshi over marketing practices. Powerball jackpot inflated by bond yields. Best small-business loans in August 2026. Wealth management has a $3 trillion problem with too much cash. El Niño expected to hit world economy. China’s commodity markets defy economic rulebook. China wins the Ice Silk Road race. Gulf oil giants build ways around Strait of Hormuz. North Korea’s hidden workforce inside US companies exposed. North Korea’s job scam generates $800 million a year. New York City’s five pensions gained 13%. Hannover Re posted lower net profit on currency hit.