Public Markets 3 Days

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

Geopolitical Tensions and Energy Markets

Oil futures held steady near $80 a barrel as intensified U.S.-Iran hostilities raised concerns about energy supply disruptions and potential inflation acceleration. President Trump’s threats to impose a 20% fee on shipments through the Strait of Hormuz spurred a surge in oil prices, potentially doubling shipping costs for goods passing through the critical waterway. Iran, meanwhile, managed to export at least 57 million barrels of crude during a brief gap between U.S. naval blockades, highlighting the complexities of global energy flows. Ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz fell to its lowest in a month following strikes and counter-strikes, with limited crude oil transportation. The United Arab Emirates, however by 80% in June after exiting OPEC, seeking to bypass production quotas. Russia’s oil output also declined to its lowest in at least two and a half years due to Ukrainian attacks on its infrastructure.

Corporate Dealmaking and IPO Activity

Private equity owner Seidler Equity is exploring the sale of its stake in the 139-year-old baseball gear maker Rawlings. In Brazil, Oncoclinicas is preparing to file for an out-of-court debt restructuring. Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein has won long-awaited regulatory approval for its Hong Kong listing, but slowing business growth could weigh on its valuation. The power-generation unit of Argentina’s YPF SA has filed for a U.S. initial public offering, joining a growing pipeline of Argentine companies seeking New York listings. Meanwhile, Cadillac Mines Corp. and Amapa Minerals Holdings Inc. filed for initial public offerings, signaling a pickup in Canadian listings. In the UK, several companies, including Waterstones Booksellers and Sum Up Payments, are considering deferring their London IPOs to 2027.

Technology, Media, and Telecom Sector

Democratic states are suing to block Paramount’s $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition, potentially delaying the deal and costing tens of millions of dollars. Separately, state attorneys general are preparing to file a lawsuit to halt the $111 billion deal. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. reported quarterly rose 36%, meeting expectations and signaling intact global demand for AI hardware. Investors are flocking back to Apple Inc. as nervousness about artificial intelligence spending weighs on chipmakers and cloud-computing giants, with Apple’s market capitalization rallying by $650 billion. SK Hynix Inc. American depositary shares fell 9.3% amid growing investor concerns about an overextended AI boom.

Financial Markets and Economic Outlook

India’s large-cap stocks are set to narrow their underperformance to smaller peers, supported by returning foreign investors, an improving earnings outlook, and attractive valuations. Foreign investors $1 billion into Indian equities last week, with Goldman Sachs predicting further inflows. The yen weakened and Japanese government bonds extended losses after reports indicated Japan has no plans to overhaul its pension fund’s asset allocation. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said policymakers may need to raise rates if underlying inflation signals broad price pressures. Wall Street strategists expect a group reviewing the Federal Reserve’s $6.7 trillion balance sheet will face a difficult task.

Regulatory and Legal Developments

A federal appeals court overruled a district court judge who dismissed lawsuits linking Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism and ADHD, citing unreliable scientific evidence. The U.S. Department of Justice turned over evidence in Minnesota DHS shootings after investigators had for months refused to share information with state counterparts. A judge denounced a lawsuit involving Trump and the IRS as an improper exercise in self-dealing and recommended disciplinary action against involved lawyers. The Trump administration subpoenaed New York Times reporters following reporting on security concerns with a Qatari-gifted jet used as Air Force One.

Real Estate and Infrastructure

New Jersey is initiating a process to develop new nuclear power plants to meet rising electricity demand. California residents are anxious following the reopening of an oil pipeline in Santa Barbara, which Trump forced open after state officials had blocked it. Dozens of towns in Connecticut are about to feel the impact of a rare type of leveraged buyout, with water-fee hikes expected as bonds finance the transaction. China’s nationwide electricity load reached a record high for the year on July 10, hitting 1.518 billion kilowatts, driven by data and EV demand.

Other Market and Business News

The CEO of Jack Daniel’s maker Brown-Forman, Lawson Whiting, will remain in his role until a successor is appointed. Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev’s family trust prevailed in its effort to remove the manager of a bankrupt $2.5 billion venture capital fund it backed. Royal Bank of Canada is expanding its credit derivatives trading business, anticipating increased demand for hedging due to multibillion-dollar fundraising for artificial intelligence. The California Public Employees’ Retirement System reported a 14.8% gain for its latest fiscal year, driven by stocks and private equity. Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. will sell offshore crude oil for collection outside the Strait of Hormuz at levels indexed to the Dubai benchmark.