Public Markets 3d Briefing
×Market Volatility and Geopolitical Tensions
Oil prices bloomberg.com fluctuated as traders digested mixed signals on US-Iran talks following the recent military strikes. The S&P 500 fell sharply wsj.com amid earnings reactions and uncertainty over the Middle East conflict. Bitcoin prices investing.com dropped below $64,000 after the US and Israel attacked Iran, with crypto markets hedging war risks through 24/7 oil and gold trading.
Energy Sector Impact
Israel bloomberg.com shut down natural gas fields as the Iran attack unfolded, while oil supertankers bloomberg.com became the hottest commodity with 600% gains amid high shipping costs. OPEC+ investing.com eyed aggressive production hikes following the Israeli strike on Tehran. The conflict created new risks for a significant chunk of the world's oil supply, with Iran TV bloomberg.com releasing footage showing destruction in Tehran after the US and Israeli strikes.
Corporate and Financial Markets
Berkshire Hathaway investing.com saw operating profit slide nearly 30% on insurance underwriting, while Greg Abel ft.com told investors its cash holdings are not a retreat from dealmaking. Core Weave investing.com tumbled 10% on a big operating margin miss in Q4. Salesforce finance.yahoo.com eased AI fears with a strong outlook and big buybacks. Krispy Kreme investing.com surged on an earnings beat and turnaround progress.
Technology and AI Developments
Nvidia investing.com prepared a new inference processor amid rising competition, while memory shortages finance.yahoo.com could cause the biggest dip in smartphone shipments in over a decade. Amazon finance.yahoo.com refused permission to appeal the go-ahead for UK lawsuits from retailers and consumers. Singapore's Grab finance.yahoo.com bet on AI and new services to triple profit by 2028.
International Markets and Policy
China investing.com may trim its 2026 growth target while keeping policy supportive, according to Bof A. China's capital markets bloomberg.com rebounded last year, fueled by a surge in equity refinancing and bond issuance. Argentina investing.com passed its biggest economic overhaul in decades. Nordic countries investing.com flagged US and Russia as election interference threats.
Banking and Financial Services
JPMorgan ft.com cut services for Citadel Securities in a clash over roles, underscoring tensions between Wall Street banks and clients. BlackRock and Goldman Sachs ft.com joined the race to fund Phoenix's pension business. Swiss Re investing.com rose on a $1.5 billion buyback despite a $650 million L&H charge.
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Houston bloomberg.com planned to sell munis for a $1 billion convention center expansion crucial to boosting downtown economic activity. Compass bloomberg.com announced a new partnership with Rocket Companies to expand visibility among potential home buyers. Ocado ft.com planned to cut 1,000 jobs and restructure its technology unit after clients scaled back online grocery plans.
Emerging Markets and Commodities
Lithium demand investing.com was set to jump 25% as the EV market recovered, signaling the bottom was in. Shell ft.com grappled with a debt crisis at its key clean energy venture in Brazil. Africa's critical minerals bloomberg.com moment intensified as the global race for resources heated up.
Regulatory and Legal Developments
The Trump administration bloomberg.com sought to delay court proceedings over whether it must refund importers billions in tariffs recently struck down by the Supreme Court. The UK competition watchdog ft.com backed curbs on the use of non-compete clauses, supporting bans for low-paid staff and caps for high earners.
Market Strategy and Investment
Strategists saw only temporary market impact from Iran strikes, while Bof A investing.com identified three internet stocks least disrupted by Agentic AI. UBS investing.com noted Europe lagged the US in AI investment but stood to gain on productivity. The US Supreme Court ft.com knocked old tariffs down while new ones emerged.
Private Equity and Credit Markets
FS KKR Private Credit Fund bloomberg.com plunged to a 2020 low as bad loans bit, cutting its dividend more than forecast amid lower interest rates and losses from troubled investments. Marathon Asset Management bloomberg.com feared 15% direct loan software defaults, warning private credit was too exposed to the software industry.
Insurance and Reinsurance
Munich Re investing.com missed Q4 profit forecasts on FX headwinds but beat on solvency. Swiss Re rose on its buyback announcement despite the large charge. The conflict in the Middle East was expected to increase insurance costs for ships in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz by as much as 50%.
Manufacturing and Industrial
Kion Group investing.com shares tumbled 9% as 2026 margin guidance disappointed. Sulzer investing.com beat profit estimates and guided margin to 16.5%. Thai Airways bloomberg.com eyed 5% revenue growth as it added jets and expanded in Asia, including India and China.
Utilities and Energy Transition
EDP investing.com shares slipped despite a jump in 2025 profit. Nuclear fusion start-up Proxima Fusion ft.com won Bavarian state backing for a €2 billion test plant, aiming to build Europe's first commercial plant by the end of the next decade.