Public Markets 3 Days

Last updated: July 18, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Geopolitical Tensions and Market Volatility

The escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran to their highest level in a month, as shipping traffic in the Persian Gulf neared a halt. Hedge funds at the fastest pace in nearly a decade amid the heightened tensions. Kuwait's energy infrastructure was hit during intense Iranian retaliatory attacks, impacting an oil facility and a power plant. The U.S. military blockaded Iranian again following a collapse of a cease-fire. The war between the U.S. and Iran expanded, with strikes across the region hitting. In response to the ongoing hostilities, UK mortgage rates rose again as several lenders increased their fixed rates.

AI and Semiconductor Stock Selloff

Markets continued to be dominated by news of artificial intelligence, but the sector experienced a significant downturn. Chip stocks fell sharply as the AI trade lost steam, with the Nasdaq composite closing.5% lower. A closely watched index of semiconductor stocks, unwinding a portion of a blistering rally that had seen the gauge more than double in three months. This selloff was partly triggered by a surprise breakthrough from a Chinese startup, Moonshot, which globally, reviving memories of last year's "DeepSeek" moment. Apple briefly as the world's most valuable company, with its shares escaping the AI sell-off that impacted chipmakers. Tech stocks broadly are selling off with no sign of a letup, and investors are.

Corporate Dealmaking and Financial Markets

ABB agreed to buy UK's Rotork for $5.6 billion, capitalizing on demand for data center products. Baker Tilly Advisory Group is preparing to sell about $3 billion in debt to refinance private credit loans. Apollo Global Management Inc. plans to invest up to $20 billion in Mexico for its private credit business. Core Logic Inc. raised $5.25 from a debt sale after offering some of the year's highest yields due to lukewarm investor demand. Vitol Group is in talks to sell its shale oil venture to private equity buyers Carnelian Energy Capital and EnCap Investments. In India, Zepto Ltd. is seeking a valuation sharply below its $7 billion peak for its IPO amid concerns over cash burn.

Economic Indicators and Banking Sector

ICICI Bank Ltd. posted better-than-expected, benefiting from healthy loan growth across retail and corporate segments in India. U.S. Bancorp notched record driven by strong loan growth and fees, along with a boost from the acquisition of BTIG. The Bank of Italy, anticipating that a positive start to the year will offset fallout from. Argentina's Neuquen province will pitch its first new international bond in nearly a decade in New York, seeking to capitalize on a shale oil boom. Meanwhile, the WSJ Dollar Index fell 0.11% for the week to..

Regulatory and Political Landscape

The Department of Justice has told top law firms their leaders must sit for depositions regarding agreements reached over a year ago, signaling a second fight with Trump over capitulation deals. In the UK, data errors have marred the regulator's new short selling disclosure rules, raising questions about the quality of. Japan's ruling LDP is calling for stricter limits on shareholder rights, arguing that current regulations encourage "excessive". The SEC is expected to change its quarterly earnings rule despite public backlash, a move Trump has long supported.

Sector-Specific Trends and Challenges

Large corporate pizza chains as delivery apps like Door Dash and Uber Eats level the playing field. The fastest-growing risk to air travel, with phones, power banks, and vapes spontaneously catching fire on planes. China's solar cell exports fell for a second month in June, indicating weakening overseas demand after an earlier surge in shipments. The London IPO market is on course for its best year since 2021, despite appearances. Superdrug owner AS Watson is considering delaying its planned London IPO, which was aiming for a dual listing this autumn.

Economic Outlook and Consumer Behavior

Workers focus solely on their retirement savings balance, but understanding how they want to spend their lives in retirement could be the. As visitors flock to popular destinations, residents in places like Mexico City, Milan, and Copenhagen are rethinking what they share and with whom. The Federal Reserve is expected to hold rates steady at its July meeting, but officials have not ruled out a move soon after. The Treasury market this week as supportive inflation data prevailed over rising oil prices, leading traders to abandon bets on a July.

Political Developments and Market Reactions

After 103 Democrats voted to eliminate aid to Israel, the lobbying group AIPAC for more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers it had endorsed. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy is considering firing Armed Forces commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, following turmoil in the country's military. President Trump for wildfire smoke drifting over the U.S., citing the country's failure to manage its wildfire response. He also provided by intelligence agencies as evidence of election vulnerabilities.

Energy and Natural Resources

Alcoa cut full-year, citing refinery issues and stable alumina prices despite uncertainty in global shipments driven by the Iran war. Canada's forgotten shale gas play is reemerging as an oil hot spot, with companies breathing new life into dormant reservoirs. China urged stronger with Kyrgyzstan on the green minerals industrial chain, emphasizing the protection of Chinese companies' rights. China also mineral rules from Indonesia as the two countries.

Technology and Innovation

The startup Etched, founded by Harvard dropouts for a $20 billion valuation and is also raising capital at a $10 billion valuation in a separate round. Poolhouse, a tech-infused pool hall startup, aiming to sell its score-tracking platform to others. The rise of delivery apps is taking a bite out of sales for. Huawei aiming growth while Malaysia moves into battery.

Other Notable Market Movements

SpaceX shares slipped below their listing price for the first time, as traders are increasingly betting against the company. United Airlines lifted its outlook as higher fares are blunting the impact of. GE Aerospace on higher sales and profit, expecting adjusted earnings per share between $7.65 and $7.. Martin Shkreli is back, shorting stocks and taking on various parties.