Public Markets 3d Briefing
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The S&P 500 bloomberg.com fell 1.2% in its worst week since June, marking its first two-week loss since June as volatile trading dominated. Entrata bloomberg.com is working with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan on an IPO, signaling continued deal activity. European stocks resumed declines as the dollar strengthened, pressuring regional equities. Bossard investing.com reported flat profit, with currency headwinds offsetting growth, highlighting ongoing foreign exchange challenges. MacCarley bloomberg.com noted the difficulty in maintaining the operational tempo of the Iran war, reflecting strategic uncertainties. Al-Mohanadi bloomberg.com indicated Iran war effects critical for energy markets, as at least 3 LNG tankers diverted towards Asia, freight rates surged, and competition intensified.
Deals & Finance
Francisco Partners bloomberg.com completed a $2.2 billion take-private of Jamf, expanding its portfolio. Blackstone bloomberg.com is positioning Liftoff Mobile for an IPO, indicating private equity interest in tech assets. Zurich Insurance investing.com posted record 2025 profit, raising its dividend to CHF, showcasing strong insurer performance. DHL Parent Deutsche Post wsj.com expects earnings growth despite uncertain conditions, underscoring resilience in logistics. Silverflow investing.com secured $40 million as near-$1 billion transaction surge drew new backers, reflecting fintech demand. TPG bloomberg.com is considering a sale or IPO for Asia One Healthcare amid increased private equity deal activity. Leon Black’s son ft.com and the Strait of Hormuz were topics in a Financial Times Companies piece, linking geopolitics to shipping.
Macro & Policy
Japan may intervene to buy yen bloomberg.com amid speculation, while Ecuador bloomberg.com eyes a $4 billion bond sale return. Germany’s Merck KGa A wsj.com expects currency headwinds to weigh on earnings, preparing for leadership change. China bloomberg.com set a lower growth target for 2026, prioritizing stability amid geopolitical shocks, with former PBOC adviser David Li Daokui noting the shift. Iran War bloomberg.com punctured the "Sell America, Buy Asia" strategy, forcing investors to reassess. Korea’s LIG Nex1 bloomberg.com soared on Gulf nation defense orders, highlighting defense sector demand. SpaceX ft.com faces an IPO valuation challenge at $1.75 trillion, testing market optimism. China’s Steel bloomberg.com and refining sectors face overcapacity cuts, with Beijing vowing measures to support the industry.
Geopolitics & Commodities
Iran War ft.com effects pushed Gulf oil producers into a race against storage fill-up, with analysts estimating Saudi Arabia has roughly two weeks before needing output cuts. Coal prices jumped as utilities sought alternatives to gas, spurred by the energy crisis. Goldman Sachs investing.com lifted its oil price forecast amid Hormuz disruptions and lower inventories. Russia bloomberg.com gained oil income potential as war disrupted Hormuz, with potential Indian buying. Australia ft.com faced a record inflation spike, potentially curbing further rate cuts. India bloomberg.com used record bond swaps to tackle a looming maturity wall, easing supply pressure.
Markets & Trends
Gold investing.com handed back gains as the dollar rebounded, though Middle East war continued. Emerging-Market FX bloomberg.com swung top developed peers after a record lull, with volatility surging. Iran War ft.com showed the US as a clear winner due to pre-conflict positioning. Japan bloomberg.com stocks rebounded from a rout after US-Israeli attacks, buoyed by strong US data. Australia bloomberg.com household spending rebounded in January, signaling resilient demand despite rate hike risks. China bloomberg.com debt plan eased oversupply fears, calming the bond market with aligned issuance targets.
Energy & Infrastructure
Iran attacks ft.com prompted UK energy suppliers to pull fixed-tariff deals as wholesale costs surged, leading to tariff hikes. Fertiliser disruption ft.com from Iran conflict warned of global food shortages, with prices jumping and exports hit. Europe ft.com confronted another energy crisis, with LNG tanker rerouting to Asia signaling escalating competition. Coal ft.com prices rose as utilities sought gas alternatives, restarting mothballed plants. Iran War bloomberg.com pushed Polish fertiliser maker to pause new orders, while UK ft.com faced mortgage market instability pre-conflict.
Technology & Finance
Nvidia ft.com refocuses TSMC capacity away from China sales, targeting Vera Rubin products. Anthropic investing.com CEO re-engages with Pentagon over AI deals. Goldman Sachs bloomberg.com Solomon expressed surprise at "benign" markets on the war, emphasizing weeks needed for clarity. China bloomberg.com vowed to tackle property crunch with city-specific policies, halting new orders at fertiliser producer MRPL. UK ft.com mortgage market instability predates the Middle East conflict. Robinhood investing.com launched a platinum credit card for wealthy customers, targeting affluent demographics.
Corporate Developments
Tehran hospital yahoo.com was evacuated after nearby explosions, per WHO. Dassault Aviation investing.com edged higher after 2025 sales beat and positive outlook. Brenntag investing.com shares slid after 34% profit drop and dividend cut. Goldman Sachs investing.com lifted oil price forecast amid Hormuz disruptions. Evonik investing.com cut 2026 revenue outlook despite holding earnings guidance. NASA yahoo.com cancelled Artemis III Moon Landing, altering lunar exploration plans. Common supplement health.yahoo.com linked to heart failure risk in Yahoo Finance report. Japan bloomberg.com investors sold most overseas bonds since 2024, hinting at repatriation. India bloomberg.com rupee advanced most in Asia as RBI intervened. China bloomberg.com steel and refining overcapacity remains a focus, with government vows to tackle it. Iran War bloomberg.com pushed Polish fertiliser maker to pause orders. UK ft.com energy suppliers pulled fixed-tariff deals as Iran crisis drove up costs. Fertiliser disruption ft.com warned of global food shortages. Europe ft.com confronted another energy crisis with LNG rerouting. Coal ft.com prices rose as utilities sought gas alternatives. Iran War bloomberg.com pushed Polish fertiliser maker to pause orders. UK ft.com energy suppliers pulled fixed-tariff deals as Iran crisis drove up costs. Fertiliser disruption ft.com warned of global food shortages. Europe ft.com confronted another energy crisis with LNG rerouting. Coal ft.com prices rose as utilities sought