Public Markets 3d Briefing
×Market Moves
The S&P500 bloomberg.com dropped 1.2% in its worst week since June, marking its first two-week loss since June. Entrata investing.com is working with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan on an IPO, signaling continued private equity activity. Delta Electronics Thailand bloomberg.com became the country’s first $100 billion company after a US Supreme Court ruling striking down tariffs further improved the demand outlook for its AI cooling equipment. Texas Instruments bloomberg.com shares rose on strong demand for AI chips, reflecting the sector’s resilience despite broader market volatility.
Deal Activity
Francisco Partners wsj.com completed a $2.2 billion take-private of Jamf, highlighting continued private equity appetite for tech acquisitions. Carlsberg A/S bloomberg.com has appointed three banks and begun preparations for a potential listing of its India unit that could raise as much as $700 million. Enel bloomberg.com jumped after announcing a €53 billion investment plan focused on renewables across Europe and the US, underscoring the shift towards green energy infrastructure. Novo Nordisk investing.com shares plunged after its obesity drug failed to outperform rivals in a key trial, causing significant investor losses.
Macro & Policy
Japan may intervene to buy yen bloomberg.com amid speculation over the currency’s weakness. Ecuador investing.com is eyeing a $4 billion bond sale, indicating renewed sovereign borrowing activity. The US Supreme Court’s ruling against President Trump’s tariffs gives India more scope in negotiations over a trade deal, though the relief may be short-lived. Goldman Sachs investing.com lifted its oil price forecast on tighter OECD inventories, suggesting potential upside for energy markets.
Corporate Developments
Johnson Matthey wsj.com slashed the price of a key unit being sold to Honeywell International to $1.8 billion, a significant reduction from its initial asking price. Lineage Cell Therapeutics bloomberg.com reported a 2% growth in 2025, though cash fell as defense spending surged. Schroders ft.com will keep its wealth manager Cazenove after a £9.9 billion takeover, avoiding a sale that could have fragmented the business. Tata Motors bloomberg.com is in advanced talks to acquire a controlling stake in India’s largest bus manufacturer, expanding its commercial vehicle footprint.
Economic Indicators
German business confidence bloomberg.com brightened more than anticipated in February, adding to hope that Europe’s largest economy is emerging from a yearslong malaise. Australia’s government bloomberg.com said it will “examine all options” after US President Donald Trump imposed a 15% tariff on foreign imports. US GDP growth bloomberg.com fell sharply to a 1.4% rate in the fourth quarter, hit by a drop in government spending during a federal shutdown.
Currency & Commodities
The dollar retreated amid renewed trade uncertainty, with the euro and sterling edging higher. Gold bloomberg.com rose and silver traded higher over tariff uncertainty, while copper bloomberg.com rallied for a second day as uncertainty around US tariff policy drove a decline in the dollar. Oil bloomberg.com stood to rally strongly as war between the US and Iran looked imminent, according to energy market consultancy FGE Nexant ECA.
Regional Focus
Thailand bloomberg.com sees upside to Trump’s court-ordered US tariff reset, positioning itself as a manufacturing hub. Singapore ft.com’s sovereign wealth fund GIC has committed to a long-term strategy in the region despite volatility. Indonesia bloomberg.com’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the country has “every reason” to attract foreign funds, even as overseas inflows lag behind regional peers. Saudi Arabia bloomberg.com firms are advancing IPO plans, testing investor appetite in Riyadh as oil prices fluctuate.
Technology & Innovation
Morgan Stanley Investment Management bloomberg.com is adding to emerging-market bets insulated from the AI boom as it positions for a potential tech pullback. Apple bloomberg.com announced a significant expansion of its AI research capabilities in Israel, signaling a major push into the field. Google investing.com’s parent company Alphabet reported a 24% surge in cloud revenue, driven by enterprise adoption.
Risk & Regulation
US Customs investing.com stated it will stop collecting Trump tariffs from February 24 following the Supreme Court ruling. Fitch Ratings bloomberg.com warned that a protracted closure of the Strait of Hormuz was “unlikely,” though it could impact oil trade and prices. The UK Pensions Regulator investing.com warned Smiths News investing.com over its pension scheme for the Tuffnells acquisition, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of corporate deals.
Energy & Resources
Eni wsj.com plans to spend more than $26 billion in its integrated business, with the majority invested in Europe and North America. Schlumberger bloomberg.com reported a 24% surge in third-quarter revenue, driven by strong activity in the US onshore market. Shell bloomberg.com announced a major investment in carbon capture technology, aiming to reduce its operational emissions footprint.
Market Sentiment
Hedge funds bloomberg.com that fueled a Bitcoin ETF boom are retreating rapidly, signaling a potential shift in crypto sentiment. BlackRock bloomberg.com’s active equity specialist Belinda Boa is leaving the firm after over 25 years, marking a significant leadership change. The S&P 500 investing.com remains rich on 18 of 20 valuation measures, according to Bof A, suggesting potential for further gains despite current volatility.