Public Markets 3d Briefing
×Market Moves
European stocks bloomberg.com tumbled their biggest two-day drop since April as conflict in the Middle East intensified, casting doubt over inflation and monetary policy outlook. The S&P 500 bloomberg.com fell 1.2% marking its first two-week loss since June amid war-driven volatility. Broadcom wsj.com shares rose premarket despite mixed results, with AI business booming while software dragged performance.
Energy & Commodities
Diesel prices bloomberg.com surged to multi-year highs globally as the war on Iran expanded across the Middle East, pressuring markets already grappling with low supplies. Oil spiked on Iran war concerns, seen boosting Canada's economic growth and inflation outlook according to Bank of Nova Scotia. Saudi Arabia wsj.com began shifting crude exports to the Red Sea as Hormuz disruption mounted, with about 10 million barrels loaded from Al-Muajjiz terminal in early March.
Inflation & Policy
Investors bloomberg.com need to come to grips with inflation as State Street's Dixon warns of a "new reality of reaccelerating inflation." The ECB bloomberg.com must maintain a "cool head" amid Iran war, with Governing Council member Olli Rehn advising against knee-jerk reactions. Eurozone retail sales wsj.com declined unexpectedly in January, pointing to fragility in household sentiment even before this week's surge in energy prices.
Corporate News
Victoria's Secret bloomberg.com forecasts its best year since L Brands split, projecting robust revenue growth that exceeds Wall Street expectations. Kroger wsj.com logged higher profit and sales in Q4 while forecasting continued growth in 2026, albeit at a slower rate than last year. JD.com wsj.com posted its first quarterly loss in over three years as the food-delivery subsidy war in China continued to take a toll on the e-commerce giant.
Banking & Finance
High-grade firms bloomberg.com snapped a week-long absence from Europe's debt market as activity resumed following several days of near standstill due to Middle East conflict. BlackRock bloomberg.com slashed another private loan value from 100 to zero just three months after assessing it at full value. Barclays investing.com downgraded Blue Owl on BDC outflows while upgrading Step Stone amid sector turbulence.
Technology & AI
Global funds bloomberg.com unwound hottest AI trades as inflation fears mounted, with foreigners fleeing from Asia's markets. Wall Street bloomberg.com sees AI's "creative destruction" coming for entire companies, not just employees, as a new worry ripples across the stock market. Meta finance.yahoo.com will allow AI rivals on WhatsApp in a bid to stave off EU action.
Emerging Markets
South Korea investing.com led emerging market rebound with its benchmark Kospi bouncing nearly 10% after Iran-driven rout. Korea bloomberg.com experienced its best day on the stock market in nearly two decades as signals emerged that Iran may be ready to reduce tensions. Investors bloomberg.com haven't lost faith in emerging markets despite Middle East conflict roiling riskier assets, according to Bank of America strategists.
Shipping & Trade
Shipping bloomberg.com collapsed through the vital Strait of Hormuz as traffic reached a near standstill amid the war between the US, Israel, and Iran. Adani bloomberg.com tripled gas prices for large users as war disrupted supply, affecting industrial consumers beyond 40% of their daily allocation. Indonesia's bloomberg.com petrochemical giant declared force majeure citing disruption to feedstock shipments through Hormuz following the outbreak of the Iran war.
Currency & FX
The euro bloomberg.com slid as energy prices rose on Middle East conflict, highlighting Europe's vulnerability when energy gets expensive. The Canadian dollar bloomberg.com became a top pick in the $9.5-trillion-a-day foreign exchange market due to its link to oil prices. Sterling investing.com outperformed the euro amid market deleveraging as investors sought relative safety.
Private Markets
BAM and Invesco CEOs bloomberg.com discussed private market opportunities, sharing ways they are delivering personalized investments at scale. Private credit's ft.com retail honeypot is getting less sweet as several listed business development companies had to slash dividends and write down asset values. Apollo CEO investing.com warned of shakeout in private credit amid rising defaults, signaling sector stress.
Regional Markets
South Africa's bloomberg.com finance minister sounded alarm over oil spike, noting sustained higher prices may fuel inflation though government buffers should help keep debt-consolidation plans on track. Malaysia bloomberg.com will likely hold rates as Middle East war fuels fresh uncertainty, with the central bank exercising caution. Colombia bloomberg.com planned reciprocal tariffs of 50% on imports from Ecuador, intensifying an economically damaging spat between the ideological foes.
Real Estate & Infrastructure
Dutch fund bloomberg.com Vesteda Residential saw €4.1 billion in redemption calls after tax change left foreign investors facing higher taxes on real estate holdings. Property insiders bloomberg.com said deals were at risk from Middle East crisis as tensions sent a chill through Singapore's marquee real estate conferences. USA Rare Earth bloomberg.com is poised to buy the rest of its stake in Round Top deposit in an all-stock transaction valuing the deal at about $73 million.
M&A & Deals
Banks selling down bloomberg.com the financing backing the record leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts are set to split the bulk of the debt between a $10.5 billion US offering and €4 billion European market placement. ITV ft.com said it remained "actively engaged" with Sky to sell its broadcast division despite a 5% slide in advertising revenue. Mike Ashley's ft.com Frasers Group built a 5.77% stake in Puma via derivatives, adding to the billionaire's investments in the retail industry.
Market Sentiment
Traders bloomberg.com looked to Ukraine conflict to map out market risks from Iran, using recent history as a guide for markets amid uncertainty about conflict duration. The Euro and the Loonie bloomberg.com told investors where they see risk, with the common currency slumping on oil-price surge that lifted the Canadian dollar. SRT sales bloomberg.com hit record pace as banks expanded use to hedge risks, issuing significant risk transfers at a record pace.
Company-Specific Moves
Volkswagen wsj.com Group delivered 4 million all-electric vehicles since 2013, taking around 10 years to reach its first million pure electric vehicles and one year to reach four million deliveries. Target wsj.com accelerated in-store investments, planning to open more than 30 locations this year as part of its strategy to drive long-term sustainable growth. AutoZone wsj.com said winter storms hurt sales, with net sales rising 8.1% to $4.27 billion for 12 weeks ended Feb. 14, below analyst forecasts of $4.31 billion.