Public Markets 3d Briefing
×Global Markets Performance
The S&P 500 bloomberg.com rallied as better-than-expected labor and services data helped offset worries around the continuing conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, European stocks bloomberg.com were set to resume declines as the dollar strengthened across markets. In Asia, Korean stocks bloomberg.com experienced their biggest surge since 2008 after a roller coaster week of trading, with bargain hunters returning to a market battered by panic selling.
Commodities & Cryptocurrencies
Treasury yields bloomberg.com climbed to a three-week high as inflation fears grew due to rising crude oil prices. Bitcoin investing.com remained upbeat at $72,000, leading a broader crypto rally as risk appetite improved. Gold investing.com handed back gains as the US dollar rebounded, while jet fuel prices bloomberg.com soared around the world as oil traders grappled with the fallout of the Iran war.
Geopolitical Impact on Markets
Iran's attacks bloomberg.com continued as the Middle East conflict entered its sixth day, with market analysts noting that America bloomberg.com appears to be the clear winner from the war so far, largely due to positioning before the conflict erupted. Iran yahoo.com launched new attacks, saying the US will "bitterly regret" sinking its warship, while former officials noted the difficulties in maintaining the operational tempo of the Iran war bloomberg.com.
Corporate Earnings & M&A Activity
Endeavour Mining wsj.com reported earnings boosted by higher gold prices, with total shareholder returns expected to more than double the company's minimum commitment at prevailing gold prices. LEG Immobilien investing.com topped FY25 estimates as rental growth accelerated, while Zurich Insurance investing.com posted record 2025 profit and raised its dividend to CHF. In M&A news, JPMorgan bloomberg.com and Wells Fargo committed $1 billion in debt to support the management buyout of hospital operator Select Medical Holdings.
Central Bank Policy & Economic Indicators
ECB's Villeroy bloomberg.com stated that the central bank won't set interest rates based solely on energy prices, providing some clarity to markets amid volatile energy conditions. India's rupee bloomberg.com advanced the most in Asia as the central bank stepped in to shore up the currency after it weakened to a record low. State Street's Hung bloomberg.com expressed that the market reaction to the war with Iran "is not unexpected" as investors seek safe haven assets.
Regional Market Focus
Korea's rebound bloomberg.com contrasted with China's softer investing.com GDP target for 2026, as the focus remains on boosting domestic demand. Emerging markets bloomberg.com saw their