Public Markets 3d Briefing
×Market Moves
US stocks bloomberg.com opened little changed as the Middle East conflict pushed oil prices higher, with S&P 500 futures holding steady. Broadcom investing.com and Okta rose in premarket trading while Stub Hub fell. Airbus investing.com gained after Citigroup upgraded the stock to Buy with a higher price target. Burlington Stores investing.com jumped following a Q4 earnings beat and strong fiscal 2026 outlook, while BJ's Wholesale Club investing.com declined on revenue miss and weak guidance.
Energy & Commodities
Oil shipments bloomberg.com from the US to Asia hit record costs as tanker rates soared, with some deals already falling through. Aluminum bloomberg.com surged to its highest level since 2022 after Bahrain's Alba declared force majeure on deliveries. Iran war bloomberg.com extended oil's gains as President Trump expressed confidence in military operations while the timeline remained unclear. Russia bloomberg.com stands to boost oil income as Hormuz disruptions create opportunities for renewed Indian buying.
Corporate News
Berkshire Hathaway wsj.com resumed share buybacks, departing from Warren Buffett's recent avoidance of repurchases. Berkshire CEO Greg Abel investing.com said he talks with Buffett nearly every day as succession plans continue. Berkshire bloomberg.com has no immediate plans to alter its Kraft Heinz stake after the food company paused its split plans. Victoria's Secret bloomberg.com projected its best year since splitting from L Brands, forecasting robust revenue growth. Victoria's Secret shares investing.com dropped despite Q4 earnings beat and upbeat outlook.
Tech & AI
Microsoft tech.yahoo.com moved its conference from hometown to San Francisco, signaling strategic shifts. Meta finance.yahoo.com will allow AI rivals on WhatsApp to stave off EU regulatory action. OpenAI investing.com held talks with The Trade Desk about potential advertising partnerships. Apple tech.yahoo.com launched new MacBook laptops starting at $1,099. AI bloomberg.com is creating "creative destruction" concerns as entire businesses face potential disruption beyond just job losses.
International Markets
South Korea's Kospi investing.com bounced nearly 10% after the Iran-driven rout, leading emerging market recovery. Korea bloomberg.com led emerging market rebound as Iran drove volatility across the region. African dollar bonds bloomberg.com extended their rebound as investors bet on oil and metal price benefits despite Middle East war risks. India bloomberg.com sought clarity from the US on Strait of Hormuz insurance plans for oil tankers. India households bloomberg.com face looming fuel crunch as Iran crisis disrupts LPG supplies.
Central Banks & Policy
The Fed bloomberg.com is still assessing Iran war impact, with Richmond Fed President Barkin saying policymakers are tracking gasoline prices closely. ECB's Nagel bloomberg.com said the duration of the Iran war will likely drive inflation outcomes. ECB's Rehn bloomberg.com urged maintaining a "cool head" and avoiding knee-jerk reactions to Iran war. Morgan Stanley investing.com no longer expects ECB to implement rate cuts in 2026. UK mortgages bloomberg.com face higher costs as swap rates rise on Iran war concerns.
Defense & Aerospace
Sierra Space bloomberg.com raised $550 million, lifting its valuation to $8 billion as it drives toward becoming a US government defense contractor. Ukraine battlefield tech firm UFORCE bloomberg.com topped $1 billion valuation as Western and Gulf militaries scramble for combat-proven systems. France yahoo.com ordered its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean amid escalating Middle East tensions. France, Italy, Greece bloomberg.com coordinated efforts to help ensure Red Sea shipping transit as Hormuz disruptions mount.
Private Markets & Deals
Blackstone bloomberg.com slashed another private loan value from 100 to zero just three months after full valuation. NYSE owner Intercontinental Exchange bloomberg.com invested in crypto exchange OKX at a $25 billion valuation. Medline's buyout firm backers bloomberg.com raised $3.1 billion in a share sale capitalizing on the medical supplier's strong trading. Raízen owners bloomberg.com failed to agree on a rescue plan, leaving the Brazilian sugar and ethanol producer in limbo.
Economic Data & Analysis
US initial jobless claims investing.com stood at 213,000, providing labor market context amid geopolitical tensions. BofA strategists investing.com said US macro risks are "likely limited unless pronounced oil spike" occurs. JPMorgan analysts investing.com looked to Ukraine 2022 for insights on how markets behave in wars. BofA analysts investing.com examined which European stocks performed well after energy price shocks. Investors bloomberg.com haven't lost faith in emerging markets despite Middle East conflict roiling riskier assets.
Automotive & Transportation
Ford wsj.com posted lower US sales in February on declines in electric and hybrid vehicles. Delta Air Lines wsj.com overhauled its C-suite as operations chief plans to exit following longtime president's retirement. Germany's Continental wsj.com expects earnings to increase this year despite tariff and currency headwinds. European E&P ratings investing.com changed as Middle East conflict reshaped the energy landscape.
Regional Markets
European bonds bloomberg.com saw war upend markets as energy crisis quashed rate-cut bets after brief stabilization. Europe's economy bloomberg.com can ride out Iran war if over in a month, according to analysts. Europe tests Trump's short fuse bloomberg.com with delays on US trade deal negotiations. UK's investment halo ft.com dimmed by war as mining, energy and defense companies face uncertainty. Dubai's status bloomberg.com faces questions as Iran war threatens its "Switzerland of the Middle East" reputation.
Financial Services
State Street's Dixon bloomberg.com said investors need to come to grips with inflation in a "new reality of reaccelerating inflation." Soros CIO Dawn Fitzpatrick bloomberg.com warned investors face "painful" 18-24 months as markets grapple with geopolitical risks and AI disruption threats. US Defense Department bloomberg.com sought information to expand metal stockpiles as supply chain risks grow. KPMG ft.com picked ex-Australia boss Gary Wingrove as next global chief in leadership race.
Retail & Consumer
Target wsj.com accelerated in-store investments as part of turnaround strategy, planning 30+ new locations. Kroger investing.com offered muted annual forecast as new CEO took helm, logging higher profit but forecasting slower growth. Kroger wsj.com posted higher profit and sales in Q4 while giving cautious full-year forecast. Victoria's Secret CEO wsj.com said her strategy to revive the retailer is working after logging higher sales in latest quarter. Six Flags wsj.com agreed to sell seven regional amusement parks to EPR Properties for $331 million.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Elekta investing.com reported Q3 net profit slump as FX and restructuring charges hit earnings. Science Corp finance.yahoo.com raised $230 million as it races to bring its brain implant to market. Revolut ft.com applied for US banking license in push to crack American market, influenced by Trump administration's openness to new players.
Infrastructure & Real Estate
World Bank bloomberg.com planned $500 million to upgrade Kenya's commuter rail network. India Highway Authority bloomberg.com sought up to $656 million in its IPO for infrastructure investment trust. EQT bloomberg.com bought East Coast warehouses from Mapletree for $575 million. Galvanize bloomberg.com hit $1 billion for CRE strategy fueled by energy bets, focusing on building resilience to soaring temperatures.
Media & Entertainment
David Zaslav bloomberg.com sold $114 million of Warner Bros. stock. Paramount's takeover bloomberg.com of Warner Bros. Discovery positioned Zaslav as the real winner, according to Gabelli. DoorDash wsj.com tapped Ziwe and Rob Rausch for social ads people actually like, putting social at marketing's heart.