Public Markets 3 Days

Last updated: July 8, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Global Markets & Macroeconomics

Global economic output growth is projected to decelerate to 3% in 2026, a downward revision by the International Monetary Fund, primarily due to persistent high commodity prices. This outlook comes as geopolitical tensions escalate, with President Trump declaring an end to the ceasefire with Iran renewed strikes. The conflict has triggered a jump in oil prices, impacting emerging market stocks which extended losses amid a rotation away from AI beneficiaries. This instability also threatens to reignite inflation fears, pushing European bond yields to four-week highs and French borrowing costs to their highest since 2009 European bonds slump. The renewed Middle East flare-up has also led to a sell-off in global bonds, pushing Treasury yields higher as hopes for peace dwindle Treasury yields rise. Market strategist Ed Yardeni warned that the Iran crisis could accelerate price growth, potentially forcing the Federal Reserve to reconsider interest rate policy Yardeni on inflation.

Technology & AI

The artificial intelligence sector continues to be a dominant force, with AI-driven deals propelling global merger-and-acquisition volume past $3 trillion in the first half of 2026 global M&A surged. Chinese AI model maker Zhipu is seeking to raise approximately $4 billion through a share sale after its stock experienced a 1,500% rally since its Hong Kong listing. Tech CEOs are actively AI jobs apocalypse narrative, instead focusing on converting skeptics and highlighting AI's potential. However, concerns about AI's environmental impact are surfacing, with calls for tech companies to be more transparent about the mounting environmental fallout from their data center expansion. Nvidia, despite its central role in the AI boom, has seen its valuation slide by $1 trillion in less than two months, making its stock cheaper than Hershey’s on a relative basis Nvidia valuation cheaper. Asian tech stocks slumped after a report indicated a significant delay in Nvidia's next-generation AI server rack system due to manufacturing issues. Samsung Electronics' earnings, while hitting a record profit, failed to meet lofty AI expectations, causing its shares to tumble 10% and renewing pressure on global chipmakers.

Corporate Finance & M&A

Big Tech's appetite for debt financing is evident, with mega bond sales of $25 billion becoming increasingly common, moving beyond historic mega-acquisitions. Jeff Bezos's space venture, Blue Origin, is reportedly seeking $10 billion in a funding round that would value the company at $130 billion, marking its first external investment Bezos' space venture. In the M&A space, JPMorgan intends to target smaller deals under $500 million, focusing on business succession plans for baby boomers. Vertex Pharmaceuticals is set to acquire Crinetics Pharmaceuticals for $10 billion, bolstering its