Public Markets 3 Days

Last updated: July 15, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Energy Markets Roiled by Middle East Tensions and U.S. Blockades

Oil prices climbed for a fourth day amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with the U.S. continuing attacks on Iran and reinstating a blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz following the collapse of the cease-fire. Military clashes over control of the Strait of Hormuz, with oil traders warning the market is close to running on empty as the crucial waterway closes again and stockpiles dwindle. Saudi Arabian oil loadings from inside the Persian Gulf have slumped in the wake of an upsurge of attacks on supertankers, while Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. is tweaking offshore oil pricing to support non-Hormuz options to mitigate disruptions. U.S. natural gas futures for a second straight session, aided by a slight warming in the weather outlook.

Corporate Dealmaking and Financial Services Activity

In the energy sector, Next Era and Dominion have, seeking regulatory approval for a deal that would create a combined entity with 10 million customers across the Southeast. JPMorgan Chase & Co. is leading debt worth up to $3 billion to support Warburg Pincus’ acquisition of Pantherx Specialty LLC. PayPal, owner of Venmo, has from Stripe and private equity firm Advent, though analysts described the bid as "lowball." Uber is also Delivery Hero in a deal valued at €12.5 billion, with the German food delivery group spinning off Turkish and some European operations to a different buyer prior to the acquisition. First Hawaiian Bank has agreed to acquire Tri Co Bancshares in an all-stock transaction valued at $2.01 billion, while Rathbones Asset Management has reduced its holdings of UK government bonds in anticipation of potential fiscal policy shifts.

Global Economic Trends and Market Movements

Global investors, largely excluded from China’s biggest IPO in nearly four years, are to profit from the country’s rising memory-chip leader. China’s economy grew at a 4.3 percent pace in the second quarter, reflecting a broad slump outside of its export-oriented manufacturing sector. Deutsche Bank AG suggests China’s yuan is still undervalued versus the euro, contributing to a wider EU trade deficit. In Malaysia, funding conditions in the money market are expected to tighten further later this year, with some analysts anticipating stronger economic growth could prompt the central bank to raise interest rates. Brazil’s government plans to ($20 in rural debt to support struggling farmers.

Technology and AI Sector Developments

SpaceX bears are as the company's stock price shows weakness ahead of a significant rocket launch and upcoming earnings that will unlock a flood of shares. SpaceX shares for the first time as investor enthusiasm waned. Wall Street's equity capital markets revenue for the second quarter reached its highest point since 2021, largely fueled by SpaceX's record-setting IPO and a fundraising surge for technology companies. ASML has raised its forecasts as the AI boom drives demand for chipmaking equipment, with shares climbing as the Dutch company adopts a bullish outlook on the AI boom's durability. Apple's $650 billion rally has been the AI selloff, with investors returning to the tech giant as nervousness about artificial intelligence spending weighs on chipmakers and cloud-computing firms.

Commodities and Precious Metals

Gold steadied as traders weighed softer-than-expected inflation data against escalating Middle East attacks for clues on the Federal Reserve's interest-rate path. Silver found lowest, trading at its lowest level since December 4, 2025, and marking its fifth decline in the past seven trading sessions. Lead prices after Trafigura Group made a second record-breaking delivery of metal into London Metal Exchange warehouses. U.S. commercial crude oil stockpiles of 1.7 million barrels, exceeding analyst expectations of a 900,000-barrel decline.

U.S. Equities and Market Performance

U.S. stocks edged higher as gains in megacap technology names offset weakness in chip stocks, with major indexes paring gains despite several positive earnings reports driven by tech. BlackRock surged as megacap tech names lifted the Nasdaq. The WSJ Dollar Index, marking its second consecutive day of declines. Treasuries rallied for a second day after soft back-to-back U.S. inflation readings reinforced optimism that inflation has peaked, potentially curbing the need for Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes. Bond traders had previously ramped up bets for a July interest-rate hike ahead of U.S. inflation data and testimony from the Federal Reserve chairman reinforcing the need for action.

Financial Services and Banking Sector

Regional banks and wealth managers are driving acquisitions in the financial services industry, according to industry watchers. JPMorgan Chase & Co. is also expanding its credit derivatives trading business in the U.S. and Europe, anticipating that multibillion-dollar fundraising for artificial intelligence will fuel demand for hedging products from AI debt. Deutsche Bank AG and the World Bank are for frontier and emerging markets. Meanwhile, large banks are, though "tectonic" risks loom, reflecting a dichotomy between geopolitical uncertainty and the stable American economy. Credit card delinquency rates are at their highest in 15 years, but these elevated rates are.

Automotive and Transportation Sector

United Airlines lifted its outlook, expecting adjusted earnings to reach $9 to $11 a share in 2026, raising the low end of its previous target by $2 a share, as higher fares blunt turbulent fuel prices. The carrier also plans to the middle seat on some flights later this year, a move that could potentially save the airline money. Lucid, the Saudi-owned carmaker, has to help "strengthen operations" as EV sales slump. Ethiopian Airlines Group is in the final stages of deciding on an aircraft order for as many as 50 jets, as Africa’s largest carrier looks to renew its fleet and expand its regional footprint with new aircraft.

Other Notable Market Activity

BHP Group Ltd.’s iron ore production slipped in the three months through June as the miner pushes ahead with expansions in copper and potash. Pool stock companies saw shares sink on Wednesday, despite a summer of intense heat, amid signs of wary consumers pulling back on spending. Barratt Redrow posted a pretax profit increase and as house sales and prices rose. Conagra’s CEO is plotting a turnaround for the food giant, stating that. Airtel Africa is tapping more bankers for a rare London IPO of its mobile money business, a flotation that could raise around $1.5 billion and provide a much-needed boost for the UK's depressed public markets aiming for a boost.