Public Markets 3 Days

Last updated: July 16, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Market Volatility

Oil futures as the market awaited clarity on potential U.S. strikes against Iran. Strait of Hormuz tanker traffic eroded further as the U.S. naval blockade intensified, with very few ships passing through the waterway. In response to escalating geopolitical risks, oil traders options, a favored strategy against sudden shifts in U.S. policy towards Iran. Russia continues to struggle to sell all its oil, with the amount of Moscow’s oil at sea back near the highs seen at the start of the year. India has increased fuel export levies as global supply tightens due to renewed hostilities, choking oil flows and tightening the outlook for fuel supply. Palm oil, however, climbed for a second day as crude price surges boosted demand prospects for biofuels.

Corporate Earnings and Market Performance

Netflix’s shares, with the streaming giant projecting its weakest revenue increase in three years. The company also announced it would begin releasing its viewership report annually, rather than twice a year. Sweetgreen shares amid fears of a cyclosporiasis outbreak, causing the company to lose more than a quarter of its market value in four days. Conversely, megacap technology names, with U.S. stocks edging up as gains in these large companies offset weakness in chip stocks. TSMC, the chipmaker for the year, stating the AI boom will continue for another three years.

Private Markets and Investment Trends

Alternative asset manager Balbec Capital LP has for its latest flagship fund focused on asset-based credit. Apollo Global Management Inc. plans to deploy as much as $20 billion to finance projects in Mexico, seeking new outlets for its private credit business. Vitol Group is reportedly in late-stage talks to sell its shale oil venture to a consortium of two private equity buyers, Carnelian Energy Capital and EnCap Investments in a potential deal. The case for allowing investors into private markets is being debated.

Economic Indicators and Monetary Policy

Treasury yields, reinforcing the central bank's commitment to fighting inflation, with U.S. indicators largely surprising on the upside. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Lorie Logan called for higher interest rates, stating inflation is not sustainably heading back to the central bank's 2% target. However