Public Markets 3d Briefing
×Market Turmoil
European stocks bloomberg.com extended their winning streak to eight months as investors sought alternatives to US markets amid escalating Middle East tensions. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite fell sharply wsj.com in February, dragged down by firms whose businesses might be disrupted by AI advancements. Wall Street bloomberg.com turned to "haven-first" strategies as the US-Iran conflict intensified, strengthening the case for safe-haven trades such as Treasuries, gold and the Swiss franc.
Oil & Energy Crisis
The oil market's nightmare scenario came true bloomberg.com this weekend as Gulf conflict hit the Strait of Hormuz. OPEC+ bloomberg.com agreed to resume oil production increases at a slightly accelerated pace as the conflict threatened to bolster a rally in crude prices. Analysts forecast ft.com oil prices to jump 5-15% when markets reopen on Sunday, despite OPEC+'s pledge to raise output. CMA CGM bloomberg.com suspended vessels' passage through the Suez Canal, ordering ships in the Persian Gulf to take shelter immediately.
Regional Market Impact
Saudi Arabian and Egyptian stocks bloomberg.com fell on Sunday in one of the first signs of the US-Iran war hitting the region's financial markets. The UAE stock markets closed for two days bloomberg.com amid Iran strikes, avoiding a possible meltdown after the Gulf country was repeatedly hit. Shipping lines bloomberg.com cut Mideast routes, posing risks to trade flows as the world's largest container carriers rerouted ships to avoid the Persian Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz practically closed investing.com as Japanese shipping giants pulled back from the region.
Safe Haven Assets
Gold wagers hit a 16-week high yahoo.com as risk-off sentiment grew amid escalating conflict. Thailand bloomberg.com implemented tough new rules governing retail gold-trading from March 1, hoping to curb speculative activity that's fueled gains in the baht. The US dollar strengthened bloomberg.com as US-Israel strikes intensified, with the ECB's Nagel saying doubts on the dollar's haven status have risen. Crypto bloomberg.com lost its grip on retail investors as the army defected to equities, stalling demand engines that powered previous rallies.
Corporate & Investment Moves
Apollo Global Management bloomberg.com netted roughly $250 million in paper gains so far from a bet it made in recent months to support Elon Musk's x AI. CP Group bloomberg.com plans to sell a 10% stake in its telecommunications affiliate True Corp., with most of the shares going to UBS Group AG. Bradesco SA and Odontoprev SA bloomberg.com are combining their healthcare assets to create one of Brazil's largest integrated medical groups, serving more than 13 million beneficiaries. Mastercard hired Whitehall veteran Sir Jon Thompson to chair its UK subsidiary as it prepares to compete for a new payments platform contract.
AI & Technology Disruption
The week that AI upended Wall Street's investing playbook didn't begin with an earnings miss but with a thought experiment on Substack. AI zero-day options bloomberg.com boomed as hedging picked up against Big Tech disruption. Investors sold their stocks after AI gave them a glimpse of the future, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite falling in February. Barclays investing.com advised waiting for a 10% drop in the S&P 500 before buying the dip as AI reordered market dynamics.
Regulatory & Policy Shifts
Thailand slashed the risk reserve requirement ratio for financial institutions conducting foreign-exchange forward trading to zero from 20%, aiming to tame the yuan rally. The People's Bank of China moved wsj.com to reduce shorting costs as the yuan strengthened. Japan's policy backdrop investing.com turned dovish, but yen risks limited Bank of Japan inaction according to Bof A. The ECB's Nagel said doubts on the dollar's haven status have risen, leading to a weak currency.
Regional Economic Impact
Travelers bloomberg.com trapped in Dubai faced mission impossible to get home as the world's busiest airport halted all flights following missile strikes. Tens of thousands of travelers were left stranded while businesses asked staff to work from home amid air travel disruption. European stocks achieved their longest monthly winning streak since 2013, showcasing the region's growing appeal as investors sought alternatives to US markets. The UK's growth plan, aiming for more investment to deliver higher productivity, has an unfortunate consequence: rising unemployment.
Market Structure Changes
Zero-day options boomed as traders eyed newly listed contracts to trade short-term opportunities in Big Tech names. The crypto market lost its grip on retail investors who defected to equities, stalling demand engines that powered previous rallies. AI gave investors a glimpse of the future, causing them to sell stocks amid concerns about business disruption. Barclays advised waiting for a 10% drop in the S&P 500 before buying the dip as market dynamics shifted.
International Trade
Chile yahoo.com denied onboard care by a Chinese medical ship as US pressure mounted. India and the EU locked in WTO guardrails yahoo.com and digital trade rules in a draft trade deal. France's CMA CGM suspended vessels' passage through the Suez Canal amid escalating conflict. Shipping lines cut Mideast routes, posing risks to trade flows as the world's largest container carriers rerouted ships to avoid the Persian Gulf.
Financial Sector
Former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein bloomberg.com rang alarm bells as Wall Street steered cash from US savers into its latest lending binge: private credit. Barclays advised waiting for a 10% drop in the S&P 500 before buying the dip. Wells Fargo investing.com upgraded Liberty Formula One on balanced risk-reward. Jefferies investing.com downgraded Sunrun Inc on its cautious 2026 outlook. Morgan Stanley investing.com downgraded Synopsys stock on slowing EDA growth.
Emerging Markets
Guinea bloomberg.com signed a $143 million memorandum of understanding with the US to boost health systems in the West African nation. Thai business conglomerate CP Group plans to sell a 10% stake in its telecommunications affiliate True Corp. Banco Bradesco SA and Odontoprev SA are combining their healthcare assets to create one of Brazil's largest integrated medical groups. European stocks extended their winning streak to eight months as investors sought alternatives to US markets.
Market Sentiment
Wall Street turned to "haven-first" strategies as the US-Iran conflict intensified, strengthening the case for safe-haven trades. Gold wagers hit a 16-week high as risk-off sentiment grew amid escalating conflict. Crypto lost its grip on retail investors as the army defected to equities. European stocks achieved their longest monthly winning streak since 2013, showcasing the region's growing appeal as investors sought alternatives to US markets.