Public Markets 3 Days

Last updated: July 26, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Geopolitical Tensions and Market Volatility

Oil futures rose sharply as the escalating conflict in the Middle East kept bulls in check, with Brent crude threatening to hover around the $100-a-barrel mark. The dollar in a month as haven demand rose amid heightened geopolitical tensions, while the U.S.-Iran ceasefire collapsed, risking further regional war. Barrick Gold Corporation evacuated workers by helicopter from its Chilean operations after severe storms blocked road access, highlighting supply chain vulnerabilities. Metals fluctuated as the threat of escalating conflict in the Middle East kept a lid on optimism.

Central Bank Actions and Economic Outlook

Central bankers with key interest rate decisions from the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and Bank of Japan on the horizon. The yield on the 10-year Treasury bond jumped to its highest level of President Trump’s second term, influenced by the ongoing Iran war, government spending concerns, and AI-driven growth. US banks are raising regulatory capital at the tightest valuations since the financial crisis in "ridiculously" cheap capital.

Corporate Dealmaking and Sector Performance

Carlyle and Bain Capital are battling to acquire a wealth manager in a potential $7bn deal, driven by private equity’s hunt for recurring earnings. Defense giants are providing record backing for military startups as drones and autonomous systems transform the battlefield. BP nears a deal to sell its solar business, Lightsource, to a Kuwait-backed group. Saint-Gobain pushes ahead with its US expansion despite a slow housing market, aiming to double its North American business through capital expenditures and acquisitions.

Technology and Artificial Intelligence

Big Tech earnings slammed into a market in revolt over AI spending, with companies reassessing lavish investments. The European tech sector with British unicorn Humanoid, demonstrating manufacturing clout as the continent industrializes. Silicon Valley is split over closing borders to Chinese AI, with Anthropic and OpenAI clashing with the broader tech industry on open-source model accessibility. Workers nostalgic for life before AI, worrying about the technology inhibiting creativity and causing errors.

Market Trends and Investment Strategies

Traders will soon have a new way to bet on major U.S. stocks, including Nvidia and SpaceX, without trading a single share. Exchange-traded funds are in Latin American markets, catering to a surge in demand for tailored products. The "Trump trade" into a loser in the stock market, as amateur and professional traders reassess the impact of his economic policies. Investors are increasingly using crypto exchanges to on AI stocks, with perpetual futures allowing investors to bypass restrictions on foreign access to China's equity market.

Global Economic and Trade Dynamics

China is pouring funding into green energy deals as the Iran war impacts oil demand, with Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative capitalizing on the rising appetite for renewables. Australia's Prime Minister Albanese will press President Trump on new tariffs, calling the levies unjustified. Iraq and Syria will sign an agreement to build oil pipelines linking production sites to global export markets via the Mediterranean. China has from Trump's trade war, with the overall average weighted tariff on Chinese goods remaining largely unchanged despite threats.

Company News and Sector Developments

Volkswagen cuts sales forecasts as challenges mount, expecting deliveries to fall and sales to be flat or decline by 3%. Gatwick Airport apologizes after a water shortage impacted toilets, forcing closures of bars and restaurants, though flights remained operational. The toy industry's future isn't toys but magic, with sales of "Magic: The Gathering" booming, described as a "mega franchise" by Hasbro's CEO. Yachtmaker Azimut Benetti customer nerves following a legal challenge from Bayesian manufacturer, stating the issue is "very specific to one shipbuilder."

Regulatory and Legal Battles

Wisconsin's warning on election bets the fight with prediction markets, as a legal battle between state regulators and platforms like Kalshi heats up ahead of the midterm elections. The U.S. government may take the case to the Supreme Court after an appeals court upheld blocks on President Trump's order restricting mail voting. A private equity firm founder and former Republican candidate for governor of New Hampshire to defrauding investors out of more than $50 million.

Environmental and Social Concerns

Lead pollution poses a health risk, according to a review sparked by an FT investigation, finding animals reared near former mining sites can have high concentrations of metals. Europe heating up again this week with a new heat wave forecast to hit the continent, intensifying pressure on countries already battling deadly wildfires. Measles cases in the U.S., with more cases reported in the last two years than in the combined period from 2000 to 2024, as vaccination rates wane.

Political and Social Commentary

Democratic Socialists of America big and now want action, aiming to tax the rich and enact anti-Israel policies following election victories in New York. An Ugandan town that had an Ebola outbreak 20 years ago the virus, which has since returned to eastern Congo. The "Trump trade" into a loser in the stock market as amateur and professional traders alike reassess the impact of his economic policies.