Public Markets 3 Days

Last updated: July 13, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Middle East Tensions Drive Market Volatility

Renewed hostilities in the Middle East and prompted a move into "risk-off" mode for investors, with FTSE 100 futures and the pound falling. U.S. Treasury yields edged higher as markets absorbed the prospect of further military escalation, though they remained off their day's peaks. Traders who had bet on subsiding Middle East tensions faced losses after Donald Trump signaled a potential escalation with Iran. The Strait of Hormuz remained open to shipping despite Iran's declaration of a closure, according to a maritime advisory group. India's trade deficit widened in June, with uncertainty over the US-Iran conflict and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz clouding the outlook for global supply chains. Base metals also retreated as the flare-up fueled concerns over global economic growth and demand for industrial commodities.

Energy Sector Dynamics and Strategic Reserves

Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman's appointment as minister of industry and mineral resources signals an expanded role and closer integration of energy and industrial portfolios. Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. will sell offshore for collection outside the Strait of Hormuz at levels indexed to the Dubai benchmark, offering an alternative to the contested waterway. South Africa plans to for the first time since the apartheid era, joining other African nations in mitigating supply shocks. Frequent draws from the U.S. Strategic Reserve are that comprise the reserve due to wear and tear. The global energy situation could deteriorate further as oil inventories decline and competition for supplies intensifies, according to Eni SpA's CEO.

AI's Impact on Technology and Labor

Nearly 200 economists signed a letter calling for greater policy action to understand and address potential disruptions from artificial intelligence. Apple's $600 billion rally, with investors returning to the tech giant as nervousness about AI spending weighed on chipmakers and cloud-computing firms. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. reported quarterly sales rose 36%, meeting expectations and signaling continued global demand for AI hardware. However, Morgan Stanley sees, suggesting that stocks may have rallied too far on AI optimism. SK Hynix Inc. shares plunged by a record 15%, underscoring growing investor concerns that the AI boom has become overstretched, though the company also began trading in the US above its IPO price. AI may also, contrary to initial fears of job displacement.

Corporate Dealmaking and Financial Markets

Wall Street banks are, benefiting from a revival of large deals fueled by AI optimism and strong consumer spending. Saudi Arabia's Nour Net is reportedly working with on a potential initial public offering, adding to a pipeline of Gulf listings. Deutsche Bank AG is in Dubai with hires from Standard Chartered Plc. De Beers plans to halt production at its South African mine for two years due to weak prices and intensifying competition from lab-grown stones. The UK film and TV studio behind the James Bond movies, Pinewood, is meeting with investors ahead of a possible sale of sterling-denominated notes.

Economic Outlook and Regional Markets

Growth in the euro zone is set to be weaker this year than previously predicted, with economists citing renewed hostilities in the Middle East. European stocks were muted as declines in technology shares were, lifted by higher oil prices. Citigroup Inc. strategists have double-downgraded UK stocks, finding them as geopolitical tensions abate due to their defensive and commodity-tilted nature. Chile's government has a window to as sovereign spreads hover near two-decade lows, with investors largely shrugging off regional conflict. Indonesia avoided an S&P Global Ratings cut to its credit rating outlook, providing a.

Automotive and Infrastructure Developments

Jeep maker Stellantis reported an estimated, driven by new model launches in North America. Meta has in Northeast Louisiana to 5 gigawatts of compute capacity, with the cost now exceeding $50 billion. Eagers Automotive and Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure were among the companies covering the auto and transport sectors. Nippon Paint is offering €7.5 billion for an Akzo Nobel unit in an attempt to.

Regulatory and Legal Sector News

The European Commission is considering regarding social media access for children under, following the release of a new report. In England and Wales, the legal sector regulator has reportedly, according to a review that follows several high-profile law firm collapses. Mastercard is examining the sale of its UK payments subsidiary, Vocalink, with discussions to.

Other Notable Market and Economic Developments

The S&P 500's price-to-earnings ratio depends on who is defining the "E", highlighting potential discrepancies in valuation metrics. US stocks beyond technology giants are poised to report strong earnings, potentially. Foreign investors poured more than $1 billion into Indian equities last week, with Goldman Sachs predicting further inflows due to a stable currency and improved earnings expectations. China's crude imports look poised to recover from a slump as the country relaxes fuel export curbs and.