Public Markets 3 Days

Last updated: July 21, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Oil Prices Surge Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Supply Concerns

Oil futures for a third consecutive session as ongoing strikes by the U.S. and Iran. Brent crude advanced to its highest level since early June, with traders closely monitoring threats to maritime traffic across critical shipping lanes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, as well as a key Kazakh export terminal on Russia's coast . Goldman Sachs warned that oil could jump to $120 a barrel if the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted. Kazakhstan halted oil to a key Russian terminal following Ukrainian tanker attacks, potentially removing another 1 million barrels a day from the market. Saudi tankers reversed course after threats from Houthi rebels, adding to the growing concerns over Red Sea shipping. India's refiners have from Iraq as escalating security risks in the Strait of Hormuz make vessel safety increasingly difficult to guarantee. The International Energy Agency warned of risks to energy supplies from the escalation of the Iran conflict, emphasizing that there is "no room for complacency" and pointing to tightness in refined products. U.S. gasoline prices for the first time in a month, as the conflict in the Middle East threatened to exacerbate a global crunch for transportation fuels and stoke inflation. Separately, the Permian Basin, America's most prolific oil field, with so much gas pooling that producers often cannot give it away.

Tech and Chip Stocks Lead Market Gains, AI Concerns Persist

U.S. stocks rose broadly as chip shares staged a strong recovery, with investors positioning for a wave of major technology earnings. Chip stocks ahead of key earnings reports, and later regained ground, boosting the Nasdaq. Investors appeared to be putting AI-bubble anxieties in the rearview mirror as chip stocks showed renewed strength . Despite worries about Chinese AI, chip stocks. Software company stocks, cybersecurity services, and other technology, media, and telecom sectors were in focus. Concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on software companies have prompted Wall Street analysts to recommend selling Adobe Inc. and Salesforce Inc. stock at a higher rate than in recent years. Google released three, including its most powerful yet, and one fine-tuned for cybersecurity, as it competes with rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic. Core Weave, an AI-native cloud provider, with its CEO stating the global AI build-out requires capital on a rarely seen scale, but that he is on the "right side" of a generational change. National Grid is in a developer focused on supplying power to data centers, tapping into the U.S. AI power boom. Koch-owned Molex data-center cable deal with Prysmian, an Italian cable maker seeking to bolster its fiber capacity in the U.S. BlackRock is looking to sell more than $12 billion of bonds to help finance a Meta Platforms Inc. data center campus . The UK utility company National Grid is investing $1.75 billion in a developer focused on supplying power to data centers . Rolls-Royce expects Airbus on a new A350 version within a year, potentially requiring a larger engine.

Financial Sector Shows Mixed Performance Amid Credit and Debt Market Activity

Capital One Financial Corp. swung to a profit in the second quarter, as it set aside less money to cover bad loans than Wall Street had anticipated. Alaska Air Group Inc.'s earnings outlook, even as the airline grapples with rising fuel prices. General Motors posted a profit of $1.31 billion in the second quarter, with revenue rising to $48.03 billion, and raised its full-year outlook, citing strong demand. GM also profits from high-price cars . Subprime auto dealer America's Car-Mart Inc. thrived during by focusing on selling and financing older, high-mileage used cars for cash-strapped customers. The U.S. Treasury Department expressed concern over several high-profile tax strategies touted by Wall Street that it deems "too good to be true." Oaktree Capital Management sees a "$200 billion distressed moment" coming as rates remain high, with companies facing a reckoning as funding costs stay elevated and debt matures. Hello Fresh SE's debut bond issuance after a rocky start to its trading. AMC is for debt investors to trumpet its rebound. Victoria Plc's bid to restructure its balance sheet faces resistance from HSBC Holdings Plc, a bondholder. InMobi Pte has appointed banks for an initial public offering to raise about $1 billion for the Indian mobile advertising company. Cadillac Mines Corp. and its backers are seeking to raise as much as C$363 million ($258 in an initial public offering. BlackRock is for a data center.

Global Markets React to Economic and Political Developments

Moody's Ratings, marking its third sovereign upgrade in less than three months and validating President Javier Milei’s economic overhaul. Canadian stocks climbed Tuesday despite threats of 50% tariffs on its exports, buoyed by surging gold prices and a rally in tech hardware stocks. Treasurys sending yields to conclude a day of light U.S. economic data ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate meeting. U.S. Treasury yields as oil prices sparked inflation concerns, raising the possibility of further Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. Sterling weakened could if fiscal concerns rise, according to Rabobank. UK government bonds dropped on Andy Burnham’s first day as Prime Minister, with fiscal fears returning. The London Stock Exchange’s plan to introduce nearly 24-hour trading for equities may not revive the bourse's fortunes, according to GAM Investments. In M&A news, Fenway Sports Group is of Liverpool Soccer Team to a consortium including the family behind Arcelor Mittal. The deal would value the English Premier League side at more than $6 billion. Segro has been accused of "aspirational" projections to justify rejecting a £13.5 billion offer from Prologis. Norway's oil fund between Prologis and Segro. Carlyle Group Inc. is in talks to hand over its ESG consulting firm Anthesis Group to its private credit lender.

International Relations and Policy Shifts Shape Markets

President Trump's immigration crackdown is causing the worst rout on the Mexican stock exchange this year, impacting Mexican grocery chain Chedraui. The U.S. Treasury flagged concern over "potentially abusive" tax strategies . France joined global toward restricting social media for children, enacting a law that bans access to some accounts for anyone under. The Trump administration from California and Minnesota over suspected fraud. The Pentagon seeks an additional $80 billion to cover the costs of the conflict in Iran and replenish depleted weapons stocks. Zelensky dismissed Ukraine's, following protests in response to the firing of the defense minister. The Lebanese army accused Israeli troops of firing as its forces deployed in a "pilot zone" under a U.S.-brokered deal . The Israeli military was withdrawing from a village after months of war. Spain celebrates both and a sense of wider success, with many fans believing a cultural, economic, and sports revival is underway. The UK's new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has named John Healey as his top, with shares in UK defense groups rising on hopes that Healey will boost. Healey's appointment was welcomed by Britain's financial industry, hoping for stability from the Treasury's seventh occupant this decade. Thames Water lenders plan to offer a "golden share" to the UK government in an improved bid to avoid nationalization by the.

Commodities and Sector-Specific Movements

Precious metals mounted a rally, with front-month gold and silver settling higher, boosted by rising equities and strength in technology shares as earnings season heats up. Bitcoin rallied after of Washington moving toward a clearer rulebook for digital assets. The Australian dollar's steep selloff against its New Zealand counterpart is set to slow, with analysts citing Australia's higher interest rates and. Indonesian rupiah may recover on a rate hike and stronger fiscals, according to analysts. The toymaker Hasbro lifted its outlook as consumers continue to buy trading cards and toys, with "Magic: The Gathering" outperforming. Utz Brands will be by Germany's Intersnack Group for $14.25 a share, a 91% premium. The European Union has fined Ali Express €550 million for failing to prevent the sale of illegal goods under its Digital Services Act. Iberdrola SA agreed to in Finland's main electricity distribution network Caruna Group for €2 billion ($2.3 . Turkish Airlines is in Asia and South America to expand its global reach. Samsung Biologics is for $1.8 billion.